are the Knicks LEGIT contenders?!

[aj174]

. Both cost far too much..

They gave up nearly Triple the Derrick White trade to Boston...

Sure it’s an overpay.

But if we’re looking at it from a standpoint of something tangible, in terms of player collection, they got a lot better.

Bridges is not Tobias Harris, not remotely close.


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If they lose OG how is this trade considered good with how much they gave up to upgrade him?

Yeah OG needs to be retained at all costs

[aj174]

They might actually need option 1, and already have option 2. Brunson had a breakout season but I am not sold on him being the best player / star on a championship winning team

That's true, he did well in these playoffs, it's another thing altogether to be a #1 guy on a championship team. This knicks team is still missing that big piece, but they're close

Brunson already averaged over 30 against 2 elite playoff defenses in Miami and Philly over the past 2 seasons. He’s a top 10 guy, a top 5 playoff performer and a top 5 MVP candidate this season. He is the big piece.

Yeah Brunson could be that guy, but he needs another guy with him, another go to scorer when the defense is tight in late playoff games. Can Bridges be that guy? Maybe, but I wouldn't bank on it

[louc1970]

Which is why - especially in this age of position less basketball, you can play Bridges, OG, and Randle together as your 2, 3, and 4.

Bridges would do so much more defensively than what Divo did as the 2 and he still can make plays for himself or creating passing lanes for Brunson and others. This will also open up the floor for OG as teams can't cheat on anyone and when the ball swings, he's either open to shoot or he can take it to the basket.

Look it could work. I'm just saying he might want to leave.

Especially if they offer him more money. Don't assume its locked up.

If I'm the Sixers I'd love to take OG away from the Knicks.

how can the sixers offer og more money when the knicks can offer the most?

It is more about how much NYK will pay versus what others will pay.if NYK has a limit, IG could easily go elsewhere.

[bronxknicksfan1]

That's true, he did well in these playoffs, it's another thing altogether to be a #1 guy on a championship team. This knicks team is still missing that big piece, but they're close

Brunson already averaged over 30 against 2 elite playoff defenses in Miami and Philly over the past 2 seasons. He’s a top 10 guy, a top 5 playoff performer and a top 5 MVP candidate this season. He is the big piece.

Yeah Brunson could be that guy, but he needs another guy with him, another go to scorer when the defense is tight in late playoff games. Can Bridges be that guy? Maybe, but I wouldn't bank on it

That guy would be Julius Randle. We’ll see what he looks like once he’s healthy for the playoffs.

Bridges would be the 3rd option in this scenario.

[Karate Diop]

I think this move - if Randle buys into a lesser role certainly moves them into the contender conversation on paper. The East isn't particularly strong, so why not?

The think was, last year before he got hurt, he did buy in. Which is why after the OG trade, the Knicks were a very good team.

Right, but now you're asking him to:

1) Take a further step back in the pecking order.
2) Be a more cerebral / less black hole type player... Something he's never been able to do.

[sp6r=underrated]

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

This is easily the Knicks best team since 1994 and the first legitimate top-line team they've had since then. Yes they are contenders. Boston played well above every other team in the NBA last year but besides them they have a case against anyone.

[symbiotic]

.

[omerome]

I think this move - if Randle buys into a lesser role certainly moves them into the contender conversation on paper. The East isn't particularly strong, so why not?

The think was, last year before he got hurt, he did buy in. Which is why after the OG trade, the Knicks were a very good team.

Right, but now you're asking him to:

1) Take a further step back in the pecking order.
2) Be a more cerebral / less black hole type player... Something he's never been able to do.

I think he already realizes how much easier it is for him to play with guys who are not Elfrid Payton or Reggie Bullock level where he is no longer expected to be the offensive engine.

How many teams can truly defend a roster with Brunson, Bridges, OG, and even DiVo as legit shooters to pass the ball to if he's double teamed?

He should be smart enough to recognize playing with an improved roster and it's possibilities. We've already seen it in a small sample size before he got hurt, and in the chance he doesn't, he can be moved.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Which is why - especially in this age of position less basketball, you can play Bridges, OG, and Randle together as your 2, 3, and 4.

Bridges would do so much more defensively than what Divo did as the 2 and he still can make plays for himself or creating passing lanes for Brunson and others. This will also open up the floor for OG as teams can't cheat on anyone and when the ball swings, he's either open to shoot or he can take it to the basket.

Look it could work. I'm just saying he might want to leave.

Especially if they offer him more money. Don't assume its locked up.

If I'm the Sixers I'd love to take OG away from the Knicks.

how can the sixers offer og more money when the knicks can offer the most?

Cause Knicks might not give him a max lol. Not that complicated.

[Lockdown504090]

They were already legit this year, so yes. I think they can give Boston a lot of problems if they can keep OG and have Mikael now.

OG's agent is the happiest guy on the planet right now.. he didn't do **** and his guy might have just got a max contract

Philly might offer one just so that New York can’t keep them.

[Moose]

If the Knicks re-sign OG, they're a contender

If they somehow re-sign OG and iHart while keeping Mitch, then they are a legit threat to win the whole thing

But it will come down to health

And that includes coming back fully healthy from past injuries (randle shoulder, Mitch feet, ihart Achilles, brunson foot and broken hand, OG hammy and elbow)

What if randle isn't the same or Mitch on defense?

Assuming all that goes right, then the Knicks can win a title

They don't have many flaws

[TwitterFingers]

I think the Knicks are better than Boston on paper. The only team that’s better is Denver

[OfficialRef]

They look like a tough second round exit. Not even trying to insult them but thats what it seems

[Asian Celtic]

This is a good thread to come back to next year. Knicks definitely got a lot better.

[Dez]

I don't believe so at the moment.

Defensively they'll be great but I don't rate Bridges offense enough to think that they still don't live and die by Brunson.

They're returning a 24ppg scorer.

My biggest issue with the Knicks is chemistry. A good problem to have but they almost have too many guys who are scorers now especially with PG likely re-signing so you wonder about chemistry. There's a lot of chefs in that kitchen now.

He's a high usage 24ppg scorer, I feel Randle needs a lot of usage to be effective. Adding Mikal Bridges dilutes that usage a bit to the point where I don't think he fits because his game doesn't fill a role of spot up shooter or slasher.

I think he'll be minimised to the point where he doesn't actually help New York and he's just there.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Not sure if possible but just wondering if Randle/Robinson and a bunch of picks for S+T Paul George might be attempted by Knicks. They seem great as-is but something about it feels like they're not finished.

Brunson/McBride
Bridges/DDV/Burks
PG13/Hart
OG/Precious
Hartenstein/Sims

[ArksNetsSince99]

Brunson already averaged over 30 against 2 elite playoff defenses in Miami and Philly over the past 2 seasons. He’s a top 10 guy, a top 5 playoff performer and a top 5 MVP candidate this season. He is the big piece.

Yeah Brunson could be that guy, but he needs another guy with him, another go to scorer when the defense is tight in late playoff games. Can Bridges be that guy? Maybe, but I wouldn't bank on it

That guy would be Julius Randle. We’ll see what he looks like once he’s healthy for the playoffs.

Bridges would be the 3rd option in this scenario.

Jesus if Knicks hopes for main banana is Julius Randle good luck

Go grab Kemba while you at it

[DimesandKnicks]

They added a wing that made nearly 3 threes a game last year and OG is one of the most efficient corner three point shooters in the league and Divo I think top 3 in the 3PM

OG is gone mate.

We’ll see

[bronxknicksfan1]

Yeah Brunson could be that guy, but he needs another guy with him, another go to scorer when the defense is tight in late playoff games. Can Bridges be that guy? Maybe, but I wouldn't bank on it

That guy would be Julius Randle. We’ll see what he looks like once he’s healthy for the playoffs.

Bridges would be the 3rd option in this scenario.

Jesus if Knicks hopes for main banana is Julius Randle good luck

Go grab Kemba while you at it

Yes, a 25/10/5 3x All Star 2x All NBA player is a main banana

[PhilBlackson]

Look obviously it's BOS' to lose at this point but they ARE legit.

While odds clearly favour the Celtics, all it takes is an injury for BOS or a bad series from one of their top guys (with both Mikal & OG that's now a real possibility) and the Knicks to maybe hot and they could make it through.

I think the Knicks can challenge them as much as anybody not named DEN...or maybe OKC soon.