Around the NBA - New Season, New Thread

[Iron Mantis]

3toheadKendra thinking her words still hit the same after Randle got shipped off for KAT .




Sorry kid. You lost. We are untouchable.

You're not winning anything with that sig, good lord

You may have forgotten, but I was forced to change the sig from its original version at another posters' request, or else it was going to get taken down.

This modified version of my sig represents the same thing as the original. Which had nothing at all to do with whether RJ will be traded or not.

[stuporman]

From the start of last season: Just the players

Randle, IQ, RJ, Grimes, Divo

Into

KAT, Bridges, OG, Precious


From:
Mitch/iHart
Randle/Hart
RJ/Hart
Grimes/Divo
Brunson/IQ

To:
KAT/Mitch/Huk
OG/Precious
Hart/Paco?
Bridges/Deuce
Brunson/Terry Johnson/TyKo

It's just wild how much changed in 12 months...couldn't have imagined it. Literally one starter remains from last season starting group projected to be this season starting group. They'll need some time to gel for sure.

Has any other team in the NBA changed as much as the Knicks have in the past 12 months? Maybe the Raptors.

[3toheadmelo]

If we can get reliable production from our rooks, especially Hukporti, in the RS like we have in PS we're about to murk teams. I feel pretty good about KAT right now, at least as a RS option.

im more worried about kat than ever now. i already have the concerns defensively, but offensively he seems like a really odd fit next to brunson so far. those shooting splits are randle playoffs bad right now. it seems like he doesnt know when to be aggressive and just throws up schit to try to get going. i really hated how he played against the timberwolves. but we'll see what happens next tuesday.

they seem to have told kat to mostly stay on the perimeter and shoot 3s because he's playing like kp now all of a sudden. i wonder what percentage of his shots have been 3s so far ? it seems like 75 percent.

i hate how we're using him. the guy used to be a really good 3 level scorer. now he wants to be a boot leg kp. this is why minnesota lost to dallas because he just kept chucking up 3s. it sounds like the knicks coaching staff gave him the green light to continue that bs here.

[Capn'O]

im more worried about kat than ever now. i already have the concerns defensively, but offensively he seems like a really odd fit next to brunson so far. those shooting splits are randle playoffs bad right now. it seems like he doesnt know when to be aggressive and just throws up schit to try to get going. i really hated how he played against the timberwolves. but we'll see what happens next tuesday.

they seem to have told kat to mostly stay on the perimeter and shoot 3s because he's playing like kp now all of a sudden. i wonder what percentage of his shots have been 3s so far ? it seems like 75 percent.

i hate how we're using him. the guy used to be a really good 3 level scorer. now he wants to be a boot leg kp. this is why minnesota lost to dallas because he just kept chucking up 3s. it sounds like the knicks coaching staff gave him the green light to continue that bs here.

I didn't watch but he took more than half of his shots from inside the line and had 4 OREBs in that game

I think they'll expand from these initial actions once the season wears. Thibs is generally pretty modular with how he integrates players. See iHart.

[Iron Mantis]

From the start of last season: Just the players

Randle, IQ, RJ, Grimes, Divo

Into

KAT, Bridges, OG, Precious


From:
Mitch/iHart
Randle/Hart
RJ/Hart
Grimes/Divo
Brunson/IQ

To:
KAT/Mitch/Huk
OG/Precious
Hart/Paco?
Bridges/Deuce
Brunson/Terry Johnson/TyKo

It's just wild how much changed in 12 months...couldn't have imagined it. Literally one starter remains from last season starting group projected to be this season starting group. They'll need some time to gel for sure.

Has any other team in the NBA changed as much as the Knicks have in the past 12 months? Maybe the Raptors.

This is why it's unrealistic to think that they will come out the gates and win 15 games in a row. The roster has been completely overhauled.

Regardless of the talent the team has added, they're going to need time playing together to unlock this team's potential on both ends.

[3toheadmelo]

they seem to have told kat to mostly stay on the perimeter and shoot 3s because he's playing like kp now all of a sudden. i wonder what percentage of his shots have been 3s so far ? it seems like 75 percent.

i hate how we're using him. the guy used to be a really good 3 level scorer. now he wants to be a boot leg kp. this is why minnesota lost to dallas because he just kept chucking up 3s. it sounds like the knicks coaching staff gave him the green light to continue that bs here.

I didn't watch but he took more than half of his shots from inside the line and had 4 OREBs in that game

I think they'll expand from these initial actions once the season wears. Thibs is generally pretty modular with how he integrates players. See iHart.

he was either chucking 3's or pump faking from the 3 and taking really awkward floaters at the rim. his game is not fun to watch anymore.

[Wildcat]

im more worried about kat than ever now. i already have the concerns defensively, but offensively he seems like a really odd fit next to brunson so far. those shooting splits are randle playoffs bad right now. it seems like he doesnt know when to be aggressive and just throws up schit to try to get going. i really hated how he played against the timberwolves. but we'll see what happens next tuesday.

they seem to have told kat to mostly stay on the perimeter and shoot 3s because he's playing like kp now all of a sudden. i wonder what percentage of his shots have been 3s so far ? it seems like 75 percent.

i hate how we're using him. the guy used to be a really good 3 level scorer. now he wants to be a boot leg kp. this is why minnesota lost to dallas because he just kept chucking up 3s. it sounds like the knicks coaching staff gave him the green light to continue that bs here.

I think he's mixing it up better than it looks. 18 3PA to his 40 FGA. I'm more impressed with his FTA's, though. 21 is outstanding for 3 games in.

[DaGawd]

iq was awesome and home grown, he’s the guy i’d want back the most if we ever could bring him back

[3toheadmelo]

they seem to have told kat to mostly stay on the perimeter and shoot 3s because he's playing like kp now all of a sudden. i wonder what percentage of his shots have been 3s so far ? it seems like 75 percent.

i hate how we're using him. the guy used to be a really good 3 level scorer. now he wants to be a boot leg kp. this is why minnesota lost to dallas because he just kept chucking up 3s. it sounds like the knicks coaching staff gave him the green light to continue that bs here.

I think he's mixing it up better than it looks. 18 3PA to his 40 FGA. I'm more impressed with his FTA's, though. 21 is outstanding for 3 games in.

he is getting to the line, but his game just looks ugly now. shoot 3 or drive to the rim recklessly. shooting splits are terrible as a result of that. i miss when he used to kill in the mid post. i think i saw a stat that said he's like one of the best mid range shooters ever. idk why he took a big part of that out of his game.

[Deeeez Knicks]

It’s only preseason, but Knicks have looked really good so far.

KAT has been very active on the boards, and defensive end which is what you want to see. The Brunson/KAT pnrs have a lot of potential to be a major weapon

[mpharris36]

It’s only preseason, but Knicks have looked really good so far.

KAT has been very active on the boards, and defensive end which is what you want to see. The Brunson/KAT pnrs have a lot of potential to be a major weapon

its also going to take some time...its only been a few weeks since they started to work together.

was the expectation it would just click on day one?

[Wildcat]

i hate how we're using him. the guy used to be a really good 3 level scorer. now he wants to be a boot leg kp. this is why minnesota lost to dallas because he just kept chucking up 3s. it sounds like the knicks coaching staff gave him the green light to continue that bs here.

I think he's mixing it up better than it looks. 18 3PA to his 40 FGA. I'm more impressed with his FTA's, though. 21 is outstanding for 3 games in.

he is getting to the line, but his game just looks ugly now. shoot 3 or drive to the rim recklessly. shooting splits are terrible as a result of that. i miss when he used to kill in the mid post. i think i saw a stat that said he's like one of the best mid range shooters ever. idk why he took a big part of that out of his game.

Yeah, but it also looks like Brunson can get any shot he wants out there. Fair trade-off while they work out the kinks.

[stuporman]

From the start of last season: Just the players

Randle, IQ, RJ, Grimes, Divo

Into

KAT, Bridges, OG, Precious


From:
Mitch/iHart
Randle/Hart
RJ/Hart
Grimes/Divo
Brunson/IQ

To:
KAT/Mitch/Huk
OG/Precious
Hart/Paco?
Bridges/Deuce
Brunson/Terry Johnson/TyKo

It's just wild how much changed in 12 months...couldn't have imagined it. Literally one starter remains from last season starting group projected to be this season starting group. They'll need some time to gel for sure.

Has any other team in the NBA changed as much as the Knicks have in the past 12 months? Maybe the Raptors.

This is why it's unrealistic to think that they will come out the gates and win 15 games in a row. The roster has been completely overhauled.

Regardless of the talent the team has added, they're going to need time playing together to unlock this team's potential on both ends.

The early scehdule isn't a cupcake so they could have some uneven stretches and I hope fans will be patient but I doubt it...because fans.

[Deeeez Knicks]

It’s only preseason, but Knicks have looked really good so far.

KAT has been very active on the boards, and defensive end which is what you want to see. The Brunson/KAT pnrs have a lot of potential to be a major weapon

its also going to take some time...its only been a few weeks since they started to work together.

was the expectation it would just click on day one?

Yea, for sure. They will need to play a new style too. But plenty of time to get things clicking.

Defensively has also been interesting and probably the bigger question mark. So far Mikal, OG, Hart look amazing on the wings causing havoc. And KAT has held his own.

[3toheadmelo]

I think he's mixing it up better than it looks. 18 3PA to his 40 FGA. I'm more impressed with his FTA's, though. 21 is outstanding for 3 games in.

he is getting to the line, but his game just looks ugly now. shoot 3 or drive to the rim recklessly. shooting splits are terrible as a result of that. i miss when he used to kill in the mid post. i think i saw a stat that said he's like one of the best mid range shooters ever. idk why he took a big part of that out of his game.

Yeah, but it also looks like Brunson can get any shot he wants out there. Fair trade-off while they work out the kinks.

that’s true. hopefully kat can become that scoring machine he used to be.

[3toheadmelo]

doesn’t make sense when people are saying the Timberwolves are much worse with Randle since they lost 1 game but we need to be patient with KAT since he’s shooting bricks lmao

[mpharris36]

It’s only preseason, but Knicks have looked really good so far.

KAT has been very active on the boards, and defensive end which is what you want to see. The Brunson/KAT pnrs have a lot of potential to be a major weapon

its also going to take some time...its only been a few weeks since they started to work together.

was the expectation it would just click on day one?

Yea, for sure. They will need to play a new style too. But plenty of time to get things clicking.

Defensively has also been interesting and probably the bigger question mark. So far Mikal, OG, Hart look amazing on the wings causing havoc. And KAT has held his own.

100% agree with you. Brunson/KAT is too talented offensively to not work. But like you said I have been more impressed with the defense.

Our switch-ability has been a nice addition and like you said. No one is going to mistake KAT for some impact defender. But he's been active and committed there. On the glass he's been excellent. He also has 6 steals and 2 blocks in 3 games (playing only about 24 mins per game).

[JayTWill]

Knicks were adamant on not trading Donte. Many have reported on this. The deal was on the table for months, and the Knicks refused to include Donte in the deal. It's no coincidence that a week after Robinson was ruled out that this KAT trade goes down, followed by the announcement that Robinson will be out until January. Certain things had to happen before the Knicks pulled this KAT trade. And they all involved the questionable center position. I-Hart was the first domino.

The Knicks weren't forced to make any of the deals they made this summer. They chose to. From bringing in Mikal for a good chunk of their draft capital to trading Randle and Donte for Kat. There were other options but these are the choices they made.

Just out of curiosity do you believe that if iHart had re-signed that Randle would still be here and would have been extended eventually?

Maybe force is too strong of a word, but most beat writers have reported that the center position put them in a dilemma after the first piece of Robinson news hit the papers. They weren't trading Randle unless it was a talent for talent situation. So no, no one put a gun to their head, but this was only real option. If these guys are saying they never wanted to include Divo in the KAT trade, I'm believing it because that was a rich price for a team who have been pretty consistent in their maneuvers and cap management.

No, I don't think KAT trade goes down if I-Hart stayed. My personal reason is there were some in the organization that wanted to see if January was a real or not. But I think the real reason is the logistics for the trade of bringing in KAT after I-Hart's new salary is on the books probably would make a KAT deal much harder to pull off.

If they brought back the same team with the addition of Mikal, iHart would have had a limited role in the offense as he has had most of the time here when the roster was healthy and he would be splitting time with Mitch. How would the loss of a guy that may have been playing 20 something minutes while rarely shooting the ball and mostly being out there play defense require the Knicks to trade for KAT of all people to fill that hole???

If I just needed someone to protect the rim, rebound and make an occasional nice pass when he is actually involved in the offense I would have just waited until December 15th and made an offer for Goga. I wouldn't completely change the construction of my roster to bring in a much different type of center unless that was the center I really wanted all this time.

Would the roster construction be ideal leading up until December/January? No. It still isn't. It wasn't either last year when half the roster was 6'4 and under with a .500 record before the new year. They had other options but they seem to have really wanted KAT.

[Wildcat]

doesn’t make sense when people are saying the Timberwolves are much worse with Randle since they lost 1 game but we need to be patient with KAT since he’s shooting bricks lmao

Yeah, both teams restructured their offense and from what I'm reading, they want Donte to run offense to an extend. Both teams will be fine, but I don't think Randle sticks around. I don't know why, but I have this inkling he may head down to Texas. Might be a good fit in Houston.

[spree2kawhi]

I have an agenda to run here guan0.

we know

But for real that computer is ridiculous - the Suns reaching the wcf which is silly.

the cavs have been 4th in the conference the last 2 years and they had a lot of big injuries last year. we only had 2 more wins than them. they do well in the regular season.

i honestly don't expect this teams record to be any better than last years. which is probably a problem when you give up all your flexibility and assets. i think this was all done in an attempt to match up better with boston and not really for the regular season. we'll have to see how that works out for them.

I noticed that too. The Cavs aren’t too bad. ESPN have been embarrassing themselves in the last couple of weeks, especially with their computer-based projections.