are the Knicks LEGIT contenders?!

[Fencer reregistered]

Good matchup with Boston. Building shooting and switchable wing defenders.

Mirror match with Boston.

The more talented defensive team of the two is the one that doesn't start Brunson.

The more talented offensive team of the two is the one that starts Porzingis.

The team with better defensive coaching of the two is probably the one run by Thibs.

The team with better offensive coaching of the two is probably the one run by Mazzulla.

[doogie_hauser]

With all due respect, I don't think an addition like Mikal Bridges would overly concern Boston too much.

They still don't have enough quality perimeter shooters and defenders, injuries aside, the Pacers exploited that weakness in their East Semi Finals series (as well as being way too quick on transition offence)

OG whilst a fantastic defensive beast, is not really renowned for his shooting prowess (plus his injury history)

[DaGawd]

With all due respect, I don't think an addition like Mikal Bridges would overly concern Boston too much.

They still don't have enough quality perimeter shooters and defenders, injuries aside, the Pacers exploited that weakness in their East Semi Finals series (as well as being way too quick on transition offence)

OG whilst a fantastic defensive beast, is not really renowned for his shooting prowess (plus his injury history)

og is a damn good 3 point shooter what you talking about?

[SpreeS]

Robinson - Porzingis
Randle - AL
OG - Tatum
Bridges - Brown
Brunson - Holiday
DiVi - White
Hart - Hauser

interesting

[nikster]

The Knicks overpaid like crazy for Mikal Bridges but if they can bring back OG they'll have the best defensive forward duo assembled since Pippen/Rodman.

Bridges and OG 's defensive styles complement each other as well. Bridges excels against the quick players whereas OG is a better physical defender.

I'm guessing bridges would play SG though:

PG: DamnSon
Sg: Bridges
SF: OG
PF: Julius
C: Hardenstein

Pretty legit team.

Are they going to be able to keep Hartenstein tho? I thought he might end up too expensive with a chance he walks

[Fencer reregistered]

Claim: Physical play is Boston's Achilles heel, and the Knicks are apt to outphysical them in the mirror match.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mikal-bridges-trade-grades-knicks-make-high-risk-high-reward-move-as-nets-draft-pick-haul-expedites-rebuild/

[NoStatsGuy]

neither horford or porzingis will be able to bang with the knicks frontcourt for a 7 game series. thats the only shot we would have if the teams are staying like they are now. the celtics are better everywhere else.

people forget randle is a bulldozing bully and we are one of the best rebounding teams with him being hurt. Randle is a huge physical presence down low.

[Case2012]

I appreciate that instead of doing everything to get 3 stars, they compiled a really good TEAM. Brunson is their star, OG and Bridges are their all defense team 3D wings, a border level all star PF and a lanky rim protector, then off the bench they have a glue guy that can get you a triple double that plays hard on every pay, one of the best shooters in the league, and a young pg/sg that looks like they'll be a reliable scorer off the bench. They're deep and they all perform their roles at ELITE levels. This is my dream team sans Dame. I think it's between them and Boston. They should grab Ryan Dunn and the best center available with the picks they have left and they'll be set.

[doogie_hauser]

neither horford or porzingis will be able to bang with the knicks frontcourt for a 7 game series. thats the only shot we would have if the teams are staying like they are now. the celtics are better everywhere else.

people forget randle is a bulldozing bully and we are one of the best rebounding teams with him being hurt. Randle is a huge physical presence down low.

I like Randle but really has never really caused the Celtics any real match up difficulties, even before we got KP, unlike someone like Bam.

Anyhow good luck to the Knicks. Definitely got a really likeable team.

If Deuce McBride (whom I think you should give more mins next season) can continue his improvement and possible be a reliable 15-20 ppg game off the bench for the Knicks, that would be huge.

[cl2117]

Even before this trade I think they would have given Boston trouble in a playoff match-up. Especially if the Knicks were healthy and the Celtics banged up at all.

After this trade, I think they're the 2nd team in the East and could very well do what Boston did this year with a similar level of luck and things breaking their way. That is assuming they keep OG and ideally Hartenstein as well.

I've still got Boston as the clearly better team due to overall star power, but the depth the Knicks have and the way they match up certainly will cause problems.

[NoStatsGuy]

neither horford or porzingis will be able to bang with the knicks frontcourt for a 7 game series. thats the only shot we would have if the teams are staying like they are now. the celtics are better everywhere else.

people forget randle is a bulldozing bully and we are one of the best rebounding teams with him being hurt. Randle is a huge physical presence down low.

I like Randle but really has never really caused the Celtics any real match up difficulties, even before we got KP, unlike someone like Bam.

Anyhow good luck to the Knicks. Definitely got a really likeable team.

If Deuce McBride (whom I think you should give more mins next season) can continue his improvement and possible be a reliable 15-20 ppg game off the bench for the Knicks, that would be huge.

yes you are right. my point was more about the wear and tear. And my skepsis about them being able to endure the physicality for 7 games or however a series would look like. i wouldnt dare to say it would be a 7 game series. who knows maybe you guys sweep us under the rug, too early to tell.

currently wearing down the frontcourt, TRY to contain your players on the wing and us being fully healthy is the only way i see us winning or rather lets start with challenging the celtics.

[DuallyNoted]

They seem to be building a really really good collection of Talent

when I think building I think trading 10 draft picks for a borderline starter. there are some other guys I think that were just building in september on one of those days between the 9ths and 13th of september but I can't remember what day. great builders. forgot the year too but some of you may remember their reputation as great buiders or THE GUYS THAT nevermind

[R-DAWG]

I’m not really sure how much better this Knicks team is than the roster they had before the trade.

The biggest issues the knicks had in the short term was a lack of front court depth/size and a 2nd guard who can handle the ball and generate offense. This trade doesn’t address either of those issues. Bridges isn’t a shot creator and losing Hartenstein makes the front court issues worse not better.

Long term, to be a championship contender you either need a top-3 player or 2 top 10-12 players. The knicks have 1 top-12 player. Bridges doesn’t address that.

The cost that the knicks paid to acquire bridges is just too high for what it is. Combine it with the limitations it creates in rounding out the roster and it’s hard to say the knicks got anything but marginally better in the short term and their position is significantly worse long term.

[Larry_Russell]

They are in the 2nd tier if they keep everyone else on team.

I think I still take a healthy philly and Milwaukee over them.

And of course the champs

But NYK is next up with the Pacers

[DaGawd]

They are in the 2nd tier if they keep everyone else on team.

I think I still take a healthy philly and Milwaukee over them.

And of course the champs

But NYK is next up with the Pacers

lol

[Froob]

I don’t think so. I don’t think you can win a title built around a small guard like Brunson. I’ll need to see it to believe it.

[doogie_hauser]

neither horford or porzingis will be able to bang with the knicks frontcourt for a 7 game series. thats the only shot we would have if the teams are staying like they are now. the celtics are better everywhere else.

people forget randle is a bulldozing bully and we are one of the best rebounding teams with him being hurt. Randle is a huge physical presence down low.

I like Randle but really has never really caused the Celtics any real match up difficulties, even before we got KP, unlike someone like Bam.

Anyhow good luck to the Knicks. Definitely got a really likeable team.

If Deuce McBride (whom I think you should give more mins next season) can continue his improvement and possible be a reliable 15-20 ppg game off the bench for the Knicks, that would be huge.

yes you are right. my point was more about the wear and tear. And my skepsis about them being able to endure the physicality for 7 games or however a series would look like. i wouldnt dare to say it would be a 7 game series. who knows maybe you guys sweep us under the rug, too early to tell.

currently wearing down the frontcourt, TRY to contain your players on the wing and us being fully healthy is the only way i see us winning or rather lets start with challenging the celtics.

I also think its important that the Knicks get a physical back up and support for Brunson who suffered so much physical punishment last season (and probably will get even more in the future)

The Knicks should seriously try sign Pat Bev, not only he help giving JB a rest and sometimes protect him from on court hacking from opponents , and he also hates the Celtics (and we hate him too lol)

[RB34]

neither horford or porzingis will be able to bang with the knicks frontcourt for a 7 game series. thats the only shot we would have if the teams are staying like they are now. the celtics are better everywhere else.

people forget randle is a bulldozing bully and we are one of the best rebounding teams with him being hurt. Randle is a huge physical presence down low.

I recall the last time Randle played in the playoffs, Knicks fans booed him.

[BrianInPhilly]

I don't follow the Knicks super closely but wouldn't a starting 5 of this make more sense - Brunson, Donte, Bridges, OG, Randle? Obviously Randle is not a traditional 5, but I feel like he's trending to be a small ball 5 right now. They'd be too boggled down with him at the 4. They have all this perimeter D' and should use it. At least this would be the closing lineup I'd think. Then McBride-Hart-Robinson balances out bench better, Precious 9th guy.

[NoStatsGuy]

neither horford or porzingis will be able to bang with the knicks frontcourt for a 7 game series. thats the only shot we would have if the teams are staying like they are now. the celtics are better everywhere else.

people forget randle is a bulldozing bully and we are one of the best rebounding teams with him being hurt. Randle is a huge physical presence down low.

I recall the last time Randle played in the playoffs, Knicks fans booed him.

yes but how does that change the fact he was injured, played his 2nd postseason only and the fans that bood are irrational in that moment?

randle is a fringe all nba guy. think of him what you will. 25/10/5 guys are not growing on trees