Postgame thread: Knicks @ Hornets

[Iron Mantis]

Imagine if it was Randle at the 5 instead…

*takes cover*

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[Jalen Bluntson]

Imagine if it was Randle at the 5 instead…

*takes cover*

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[Nazrmohamed]

A comp is more about the way the play, not the level they have reached.

Anyway, Nash didn't blow the league away when he first entered it either.

It is simply that Kolek has already a well-developed passing game that could end up being elite. Again, he led the nation in assists. This is not a stretch to say he may already be an advanced distributor.

Don’t want to put a ceiling on our rookie, but this is done every year with our young prospects. Comparisons with HoF players. I’m saying temper the expectations. Just hopeful that our rookie can be a solid backup PG. If he can be Tyus Jones on Memphis level, that would be the perfect backup to have. He was also an advanced distributor coming out of college and it took him a few years to get acclimated.

Again, it is a style, an archetype, a template, not a level or a straight comp. It is about whom they remind you of and that may be a launching point for discussing potential, ceiling, etc.

I shouldn't have to explain myself about this. It is strictly about the mold of player they fit. I think they have qualities similar to John Stockton. I'm not going to not make that comparison because one is a rookie and the other is a HOF player.

And as far as acclimation goes, we'll find out how much acclimation he needs when Thibs gets his minutes. The talking point has been how immediately he impacts the game whenever he is on the court. It was true today and in SL and we'll see in the regular season and playoffs to get the full answer. But he looks ready to contribute already and that is not jumping the gun to say so.

The guy passes the eye test in no way that I can recall one of our rookies showing in a long time. RJ was awful in his first SL. Quickley and Grimes were OK. Kolek is the only one in recent history I recall looking so sharp immediately. And, no, Knox in SL was not that sharp in case you're going to make that comparison.

I can relate. All my comps are based on skillset and biometrics. I compared Kobe to Jordan in his rookie year cuz I could instantly see they moved the same. Edward's is in that same comp, all that's left is for him to actually believe that he's the best.

But still Koleks got some work to do for me to fully go Nash with him, which is very doable over the next two summers. Because otherwise he's got all the skills already. His passing instincts are wild. But without these things he could instead end up an Anre Miller.

- he's gotta tighten his handle. It's high and hangs. Good defenders.....put it this way Deuce would have him picking up his dribble so practice with Deuce and next summer call Drew Hanlen. But it's workable right now. Just saying, he wants to reach anything close to Nashs level that dribble has to tighten up and never stop.

- his fast twitch muscle. Simply put he can get faster, explode better. His passing will always be there but I'm talking about getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants because athleticism and speed could be an issue.

Outside of these two things I think he's got everything he needs already.

[rajajackal]

i'm thrilled that kolek cooked the moment his number was called. what he'll need to do to get into the rotation, besides consistently showing defensive competence, is build up the respect of his teammates. i noticed they looked him off a few times, not out of malice, but probably because he's a rookie

[Fat Kat]

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[Knicksfan1992]

One pre-season game and i've already had enough Cam Payne for my Knicks fan lifetime

[Deeeez Knicks]

One pre-season game and i've already had enough Cam Payne for my Knicks fan lifetime

Yea, already want to see Kolek overtake him but it could take awhile. Kolek + Deuce off the bench will be really fun

[Iron Mantis]

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Because he endorsed the Randle for KAT trade, Thibs is the best Knicks coach since JVG.

[Clyde_Style]

Don’t want to put a ceiling on our rookie, but this is done every year with our young prospects. Comparisons with HoF players. I’m saying temper the expectations. Just hopeful that our rookie can be a solid backup PG. If he can be Tyus Jones on Memphis level, that would be the perfect backup to have. He was also an advanced distributor coming out of college and it took him a few years to get acclimated.

Again, it is a style, an archetype, a template, not a level or a straight comp. It is about whom they remind you of and that may be a launching point for discussing potential, ceiling, etc.

I shouldn't have to explain myself about this. It is strictly about the mold of player they fit. I think they have qualities similar to John Stockton. I'm not going to not make that comparison because one is a rookie and the other is a HOF player.

And as far as acclimation goes, we'll find out how much acclimation he needs when Thibs gets his minutes. The talking point has been how immediately he impacts the game whenever he is on the court. It was true today and in SL and we'll see in the regular season and playoffs to get the full answer. But he looks ready to contribute already and that is not jumping the gun to say so.

The guy passes the eye test in no way that I can recall one of our rookies showing in a long time. RJ was awful in his first SL. Quickley and Grimes were OK. Kolek is the only one in recent history I recall looking so sharp immediately. And, no, Knox in SL was not that sharp in case you're going to make that comparison.

I can relate. All my comps are based on skillset and biometrics. I compared Kobe to Jordan in his rookie ye as r cuz I couldn't instantly see they moved the same. Edward's is in that same comp, all that's left is for him to actually believe that he's the best.

But still Koleks got some work to do for me to fully go Nash with him, which is very doable over the next two summers. Because otherwise he's got all the skills already. His passing instincts are wild. But without these things he could instead end up an Anre Miller.

- he's gotta tighten his handle. It's high and hangs. Good defenders.....put it this way Deuce would have him picking up his dribble so practice with Deuce and next summer call Drew Hanlen. But it's workable right now. Just saying, he wants to reach anything close to Nashs level that dribble has to tighten up and never stop.

- his fast twitch muscle. Simply put he can get faster, explode better. His passing will always be there but I'm talking about getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants because athleticism and sis aren't an issue.

Outside of these two things I think he's got everything he needs already.

There will be work and refinements to do, but as you agreed Kolek already has the necessary skill set to take it to a higher level.

We have the coaches to help him. He seems dedicated and is probably a gym rat. They'll do their best to help him level up.

[Nazrmohamed]

One pre-season game and i've already had enough Cam Payne for my Knicks fan lifetime

I thought he looked good actually. He had 6 dimes and was faster than I thought, getting wherever he wanted. For me when what a player does normally doesn't work and they do other things I didn't expect I get excited cuz eventually the shots will fall. But I had no idea he could drive like he did and so body tell me how long this guys arms are? Alnost touched the ground.

[robillionaire]

The starting lineup looked pretty disjointed. I think Brunson Towns and OG will be fine out there, really still curious how Mikal fits in on offense. Mikal really didn’t look like a guy you want to trade 5 first round picks for. He was bricking on offense and LaMelo was blowing by him on the other end. But I’m not too worried. OG didn’t get injured so, good job OG.

Hart was invisible on the court but as I said before he’s not going to be in 110% hustle mode for a preseason game. But his shots looked terrible. 15 mins, 2 shot attempts, no steals or blocks, 0 points. Even as a secondary rebounder he had 1 reb. Ouch.

Towns shot was off at 2-7 but he did get to the line a few times and was always looking to distribute the ball, maybe even too much. In fact the entire first unit was in overpassing mode. But I think it’ll come together quick.

Precious continues to be a serviceable backup big. Almost lost the game with his play at the end. Really don’t want that to happen in a real game. His minutes should be limited to maybe 15 mpg max but we need bigs so he will play more than he should. He played 33 minutes. I’m still not high on him

Sims still isn’t an nba player. He got up for a couple boards but I’m sorry I still don’t see it. Any journeyman center would be better. Taj Gibson would be better. He shouldn’t play.

Obviously McBride was the best player today, changed the game when he came in, his shots were money, defense on point, looking like a super 6th man for us at this point. Shamet was also very impressive and his shooting kept us in the game, and Kolek played very well. Kolek was 3-5 from 3, not gun shy at all, and also pitched in 2 steals and a block in the 14 minutes he played.

Cam Payne made some terrible decisions with the ball but I won’t write him off entirely as a backup. But his carelessness with the ball was alarming. He did have 11 points and hit a garbage 3 to seal the game, but he was also a chuck with 14 shot attempts, many of them on poor shot selection, coming up the court and chucking a 3 before the rest of the team gets down the court. But that’s his game I guess. I feel like he’s going to be the designated scapegoat especially because people want to watch Kolek but Payne could still play a role on the team as a streaky shooter. He had a couple nice drives to the rim and some assists, so he’s serviceable.

Okeke and Toppin didn’t really show much, I don’t look for them to be a factor on the team long term

[Wildcat]

One pre-season game and i've already had enough Cam Payne for my Knicks fan lifetime

I've long speculated that Payne and the Knicks were probably too far along in talks to pull out of the deal after seeing how Tyler looked in SL.

[3toheadmelo]

Dominican Bargnani was in full display last night smh. Also had just 4 rebounds and gave up 9 to Nick richards.

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[mpharris36]

The starting lineup looked pretty disjointed. I think Brunson Towns and OG will be fine out there, really still curious how Mikal fits in on offense. Mikal really didn’t look like a guy you want to trade 5 first round picks for. He was bricking on offense and LaMelo was blowing by him on the other end. But I’m not too worried. OG didn’t get injured so, good job OG.

Hart was invisible on the court but as I said before he’s not going to be in 110% hustle mode for a preseason game. But his shots looked terrible. 15 mins, 2 shot attempts, no steals or blocks, 0 points. Even as a secondary rebounder he had 1 reb. Ouch.

Towns shot was off at 2-7 but he did get to the line a few times and was always looking to distribute the ball, maybe even too much. In fact the entire first unit was in overpassing mode. But I think it’ll come together quick.

Precious continues to be a serviceable backup big. Almost lost the game with his play at the end. Really don’t want that to happen in a real game. His minutes should be limited to maybe 15 mpg max but we need bigs so he will play more than he should. He played 33 minutes. I’m still not high on him

Sims still isn’t an nba player. He got up for a couple boards but I’m sorry I still don’t see it. Any journeyman center would be better. Taj Gibson would be better. He shouldn’t play.

Obviously McBride was the best player today, changed the game when he came in, his shots were money, defense on point, looking like a super 6th man for us at this point. Shamet was also very impressive and his shooting kept us in the game, and Kolek played very well. Kolek was 3-5 from 3, not gun shy at all, and also pitched in 2 steals and a block in the 14 minutes he played.

Cam Payne made some terrible decisions with the ball but I won’t write him off entirely as a backup. But his carelessness with the ball was alarming. He did have 11 points and hit a garbage 3 to seal the game, but he was also a chuck with 14 shot attempts, many of them on poor shot selection, coming up the court and chucking a 3 before the rest of the team gets down the court. But that’s his game I guess. I feel like he’s going to be the designated scapegoat especially because people want to watch Kolek but Payne could still play a role on the team as a streaky shooter. He had a couple nice drives to the rim and some assists, so he’s serviceable.

Okeke and Toppin didn’t really show much, I don’t look for them to be a factor on the team long term

This isn't NBA2K its going to take these guys time the gel. One play particularly that I noticed with Brunson is he drew 2 defenders off the P&R and KAT popped back out to the 3pt line...Brunson didn't even look to him because I think he has played with rim running bigs his whole career. He just needs to notice if the big is anywhere near him and not the 3 pt line to just kick it back to towns.

Everyone is trying to get everyone involved but when the season starts everything will go through Brunson.

Mika is not the floor spacer Donte is so it will take him some time to find his spots with the starters. I do think we had more "hockey shift" style subs and Thibs should stagger Mikal with the bench so he can do some more scoring especially with Brunson out.

1st game the team maybe had 1 or two practices with the starters...my levels of concern are basically zero.

[Iron Mantis]

Have the Knicks traded history's worst playoff performer Randle for KAT yet?

[3toheadmelo]

A long time Wolves fan just said this on the GB. Basically describes a lot of what we saw from Dominican Bargnani last night.

I've been following the Wolves since inception. I was very happy to hear about the Towns trade. He has a ten cent head, as Knicks fans will soon find out. Really dumb fouls. Very soft defender and gets lost a lot. Tries to make highlight reel passes that don't work. I may be in the minority from a Wolves fan perspective but I always thought he was overrated. Guess we'll see how the season goes.

[Nazrmohamed]

That entire first unit played like it was an exeraize in trying not to get hurt, and crazy thing is after what we saw last season I don't know if I disagree with that approach. The thing about these top heavy lineups is one person goes down and it radically changes how you play. I saw OG grab his leg once and wanted him shut down.

So with that said I'm not gonna kill Towns. Dude was basically showing off his skillset for us and practicing with Jalen where they need to stand so they don't get in eachothers way. And it was all very sloppy.

Which by and large is to be expected. The more talent you have the more they gotta work on chemistry. That's why the 2nd unit, although less skilled seemed to play better off eachother. Keep in mind though, they played more minutes together as well. So there's really not much to take from the starters. We know they can play. Over the course of preseason it's really about whether or not they can gain some chemistry.

Now in terms of toughness. The mere fact that Towns is playing C makes us softer. It is what it is. He's not a rim protector and he does rebound in traffic. To those who couldn't stand going 4 on 5 on offense and needed aaaaaaallllllllllll this offensive output. (We ranked 5th last season btw), here ya go. This is what it looks like. You wanted to be like Boston except Boston employs defensive bigs who can hut a three within the offense. We instead got a C who wants to specialize in taking 3s. Big difference and I guess we'll find out. Just allow me to keep Mitch just in case you start having second thoughts.

[Spree2Houston]

Kolek is going to become our best young trade asset by the deadline.

[F N 11]

Knicks ain’t slick. They going to build the value of these guys.

Kat looks solid. He actually playing drop defense which we are not changing. Brunson shot bad is he bad too? Come on what are we doing?

Victory Monday

Yankees up 1-0
Mets heading home 1-1
Giants won

We should be happy

[god shammgod]

this team has had a fundamental sea change. it will not be able to operate as it did the last 2 years and will have to find it's identity. that will take time and who knows how it will turn out.