Around the NBA (and other Sports), 2024-25

[Fierce1]

You're delusional if you don't think this a tremendous trade for the Knicks. Got the best player in the deal and didn't give up any studs. Cs are probably still somewhat better but Knicks have closed the gap.

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

[JaMarco]

You're delusional if you don't think this a tremendous trade for the Knicks. Got the best player in the deal and didn't give up any studs. Cs are probably still somewhat better but Knicks have closed the gap.

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

The difference with the Bucks is Dame was old and declining when they traded for him, Towns is in his prime. Physicality doesn't guarantee a championship either, Knicks couldn't even beat the Pacers last year to make it to semi finals. Shooting is the most important ability in the NBA today (even more rarer at PF/C position) and Knicks just got that.

[Fierce1]

Go back to 2023 and you would see the Celtics lost the regular season series to the Knicks because the Cs ALWAYS had a hard time dealing with Randle and Mitchell Robinson.

Look at the Knicks right now, Josh Hart, who's only 6-4 will have to play the PF spot.

Is KAT really a defensive anchor?

The Knicks offense got better, sure, but the Knicks defense got weaker.

I was a little concerned about the Knicks before the KAT trade.

But now, the Knicks are off my list as a team who could beat the Cs in a 7-game series.

If it's just about offense, no team in the NBA right now can compete with how the Celtics play offense.

So it's down to defense.

Miami does more winning with less talent because of their excellent defense.

That's the formula to beating the Celtics because as what we witnessed in the finals against Dallas, Luka being incompetent on defense resulted in an easy finals for the Cs.

[Fierce1]

You're delusional if you don't think this a tremendous trade for the Knicks. Got the best player in the deal and didn't give up any studs. Cs are probably still somewhat better but Knicks have closed the gap.

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

The difference with the Bucks is Dame was old and declining when they traded for him, Towns is in his prime. Physicality doesn't guarantee a championship either, Knicks couldn't even beat the Pacers last year to make it to semi finals. Shooting is the most important ability in the NBA today (even more rarer at PF/C position) and Knicks just got that.

Just look at what happened to KAT and Minnesota against Dallas in the WCF.

Reason why the Knicks lost to the Pacers last season was because Thibs allowed his players to be run into the ground.

KAT at the 5 and Josh Hart at the 4?

Really???

[Fierce1]

The key to winning a championship is balance.

That's what the Celtics have and that's the reason why they won a championship last season.

Not enough offense and you'll not get far in the playoffs because it's harder to score in the playoffs.

And if the defense is not good enough, it's also a playoff exit.

[JaMarco]

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

The difference with the Bucks is Dame was old and declining when they traded for him, Towns is in his prime. Physicality doesn't guarantee a championship either, Knicks couldn't even beat the Pacers last year to make it to semi finals. Shooting is the most important ability in the NBA today (even more rarer at PF/C position) and Knicks just got that.

Just look at what happened to KAT and Minnesota against Dallas in the WCF.

Reason why the Knicks lost to the Pacers last season was because Thibs allowed his players to be run into the ground.

KAT at the 5 and Josh Hart at the 4?

Really???

Where are you getting the Josh Hart is at the 4?

[Fierce1]

The difference with the Bucks is Dame was old and declining when they traded for him, Towns is in his prime. Physicality doesn't guarantee a championship either, Knicks couldn't even beat the Pacers last year to make it to semi finals. Shooting is the most important ability in the NBA today (even more rarer at PF/C position) and Knicks just got that.

Just look at what happened to KAT and Minnesota against Dallas in the WCF.

Reason why the Knicks lost to the Pacers last season was because Thibs allowed his players to be run into the ground.

KAT at the 5 and Josh Hart at the 4?

Really???

Where are you getting the Josh Hart is at the 4?

The starters are Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and KAT.

Both Bridges and Anunoby are wing players.

[phincsfan]

A few thoughts:

1- The Wolves made it to the conference finals, pretty much had the same roster going into this season and they trade away their 2nd best player for financial reasons. It's not like they underperformed their teams salary. They didn't lose because of KAT, they were gassed. If Randle comes back healthy it's a lateral move IMO. New ownership laying the groundwork for how they want to operate financially? That future 1st may be a 14th, 12th or 10th pick by 2027.

2- IMO, a healthy Julius Randle and a healthy Mitchell Robinson and this deal never happens. Randle and Donte were a better fit for this team and Thibs style of play. This was a typical desperation move by the Knicks unlike the Brunson, OG and Bridges moves. Those were calculated moves that definitely made them better. Nobody in the league was afraid to play the KAT T-Wolves, they were preparing to play against Ant. KAT just happened to sign that extension after he played 74 games then went on to play 29 and 62 games.

3- What concerns me is, outside of winning a title the Celtics aren't too far off from the being in the same boat. I hope Pags has the right group to sit at the table when Wyc sells.

[phincsfan]

You're delusional if you don't think this a tremendous trade for the Knicks. Got the best player in the deal and didn't give up any studs. Cs are probably still somewhat better but Knicks have closed the gap.

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

The difference with the Bucks is Dame was old and declining when they traded for him, Towns is in his prime. Physicality doesn't guarantee a championship either, Knicks couldn't even beat the Pacers last year to make it to semi finals. Shooting is the most important ability in the NBA today (even more rarer at PF/C position) and Knicks just got that.

He's played 70+ games two times in the last 6 years. He peaked early and was made to look better recently because of Ant.

[JaMarco]

Just look at what happened to KAT and Minnesota against Dallas in the WCF.

Reason why the Knicks lost to the Pacers last season was because Thibs allowed his players to be run into the ground.

KAT at the 5 and Josh Hart at the 4?

Really???

Where are you getting the Josh Hart is at the 4?

The starters are Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and KAT.

Both Bridges and Anunoby are wing players.

And Josh Hart is a guard...

[Fierce1]

Let's not forget KAT went 3-22 from 3pt land, including an 0-8 in Game 3, in the first 3 games against Dallas.

That's why Minny went down 0-3 in the WCF.

[phincsfan]

Let's not forget KAT went 3-22 from 3pt land, including an 0-8 in Game 3, in the first 3 games against Dallas.

That's why Minny went down 0-3 in the WCF.

They were gassed. If he can't play 70+ games in the regular season how can they think he'll hold up in a deep playoff run. He's going to drive Thibs crazy, watch.

[Fierce1]

Where are you getting the Josh Hart is at the 4?

The starters are Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and KAT.

Both Bridges and Anunoby are wing players.

And Josh Hart is a guard...

On paper he's listed a guard/forward, but he's being asked to defend bigger players.

So if not Hart, who plays the 4 spot, Anunoby or Bridges?

Right now the Knicks are just not a balanced team.

No doubt the Knicks got the best player in the trade, but like the Kendrick Perkins for Jeff Green trade, getting the best player in the trade does not mean it's automatic you get better.

[Fierce1]

Let's not forget KAT went 3-22 from 3pt land, including an 0-8 in Game 3, in the first 3 games against Dallas.

That's why Minny went down 0-3 in the WCF.

They were gassed. If he can't play 70+ games in the regular season how can they think he'll hold up in a deep playoff run. He's going to drive Thibs crazy, watch.

Yeah, I agree, Thibs and KAT are not a good fit.

[JaMarco]

The starters are Brunson, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and KAT.

Both Bridges and Anunoby are wing players.

And Josh Hart is a guard...

On paper he's listed a guard/forward, but he's being asked to defend bigger players.

So if not Hart, who plays the 4 spot, Anunoby or Bridges?

Anunoby, that's not that much different than Tatum playing the 4 for the Cs.

[tfribs45]

You're delusional if you don't think this a tremendous trade for the Knicks. Got the best player in the deal and didn't give up any studs. Cs are probably still somewhat better but Knicks have closed the gap.

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

Towns is as soft as they get! This weakens the Knicks, plus they lost a tremendous role player and broke up the Nova Family. This could backfire and the NY Media will eat him alive. Just my two cents

[Fierce1]

And Josh Hart is a guard...

On paper he's listed a guard/forward, but he's being asked to defend bigger players.

So if not Hart, who plays the 4 spot, Anunoby or Bridges?

Anunoby, that's not that much different than Tatum playing the 4 for the Cs.

Tatum is a versatile defender.

Us Cs fans know Anunoby well because he was with Toronto most of his career.

Anunoby has never been known as a PF.

But if Anunoby does indeed end up playing the 4 spot, it will be the Knicks' achilles heel.

[Fierce1]

You're delusional if you don't think this a tremendous trade for the Knicks. Got the best player in the deal and didn't give up any studs. Cs are probably still somewhat better but Knicks have closed the gap.

That's what the Bucks were also thinking when they swapped Jrue for Dame.

If it's just about having the best players on your team then the Suns should have gone to the finals, not Dallas.

The game has changed.

Talent alone does not guarantee a championship.

Last season the Knicks had success in the playoffs because they were rugged, played physical basketball.

That's not exactly how you would describe KAT.

Towns is as soft as they get! This weakens the Knicks, plus they lost a tremendous role player and broke up the Nova Family. This could backfire and the NY Media will eat him alive. Just my two cents

True.

There's a lot of pressure on the shoulders of KAT now.

[lon3lytoaster]

Let's not forget KAT went 3-22 from 3pt land, including an 0-8 in Game 3, in the first 3 games against Dallas.

That's why Minny went down 0-3 in the WCF.

They were gassed. If he can't play 70+ games in the regular season how can they think he'll hold up in a deep playoff run. He's going to drive Thibs crazy, watch.

This was my first thought as well. Think overall, a solid B+ trade for NY. Randle was unhappy he was being minimized by Brunson after a near MVP season a year or two ago, and realistically this is the best player they could have gotten back.

They may honestly walk away with the first seed in the east if they can hold up, it's a pretty stacked lineup. We'll see about the playoffs though. This is the ECF matchup in my mind though.

[JaMarco]

Let's not forget KAT went 3-22 from 3pt land, including an 0-8 in Game 3, in the first 3 games against Dallas.

That's why Minny went down 0-3 in the WCF.

They were gassed. If he can't play 70+ games in the regular season how can they think he'll hold up in a deep playoff run. He's going to drive Thibs crazy, watch.

This was my first thought as well. Think overall, a solid B+ trade for NY. Randle was unhappy he was being minimized by Brunson after a near MVP season a year or two ago, and realistically this is the best player they could have gotten back.

They may honestly walk away with the first seed in the east if they can hold up, it's a pretty stacked lineup. We'll see about the playoffs though. This is the ECF matchup in my mind though.

Philly and MIL are both major contenders as well.