Around the League: 2023-24 Season

[Kobblehead]

I'm fine with McCain, at the end of the day. One guy that may give me buyer's remorse would be Ja'Kobe Walter because he's just as highly touted, but bigger, more athletic and younger. But he hasn't even gotten cleared to play yet.

[mjkvol]

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Knicks summer will go down as all time bad.

I'd straight up rather have Donte than Mikal and I don't believe there's all that disparity between Randle and KAT either.

KAT is a much better shooter, while Randle is superior in self-creation and can attack mismatches in a way KAT cannot.

These are probably neutral swaps in isolation.. until you factor in that the Knicks traded 8+ unprotected firsts this summer on top of more importantly losing Isaiah Hartenstein who was their second (third at worst) best player in the playoffs last season and was immense in his ability to do the dirty work to create space for Brunson to work.

100% agree, and was saying this before the KAT trade. The loss of Hartenstein will probably not be fully felt until playoff time, when his value as a rim protector, enforcer, and passer really came into its own. Bridges is a nice addition (if his jumper isn't broken), but not nearly at the cost they paid. They had to get rid of Randle IMO, but KAT doesn't bring enough to justify the contract they have tied themselves into. And Donte added not just a 3-pt. threat, but brought a ton of grit and attitude that they will no longer have.

The problem is that they're done - this is the team that they have to go with for at least the next couple of seasons, as they have given away all their flexibility. I just don't see this as a championship level group.

[FireMorey]

I wanted Knecht and think he'll be a better NBA player than McCain, but I'm more of a McCain detractor than I am a Knecht stan. I don't think Knecht will ever be great, but I just am not a fan of McCain's game. He's not quick, athletic, or a good enough ball handler to create his own offense, he's not big enough to shoot over defenders. I think he will pretty much be a spot up shooter at the NBA level. And I'd never take a spot up shooter mid first round. You always lean guys that can generate their own offense, even if their raw skills are unpolished. I see very little upside with McCain because of his size and athletic limitations.

[mjkvol]

he's not big enough to shoot over defenders.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but this part is just patently false. Watch the 3-pointer over 7'2" Bol Bol against the Suns. One of DK's primary attributes that he showed at UT is his ability, at 6'6" with a high release point, to be able to shoot over defenders.

[FireMorey]

he's not big enough to shoot over defenders.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but this part is just patently false. Watch the 3-pointer over 7'2" Bol Bol against the Suns. One of DK's primary attributes that he showed at UT is his ability, at 6'6" with a high release point, to be able to shoot over defenders.

I don't think you read my post, read it again.

[76ciology]

Mikal Bridges shot 2-for-19 (10.5%) from three during the preseason.

[GoSixersBro]

Mikal Bridges shot 2-for-19 (10.5%) from three during the preseason.

That franchise is cursed worse than ours.

[mjkvol]

he's not big enough to shoot over defenders.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but this part is just patently false. Watch the 3-pointer over 7'2" Bol Bol against the Suns. One of DK's primary attributes that he showed at UT is his ability, at 6'6" with a high release point, to be able to shoot over defenders.

I don't think you read my post, read it again.

My apologies. It wasn't super clear who you were talking about.

[Sixerscan]

Mikal Bridges shot 2-for-19 (10.5%) from three during the preseason.

That franchise is cursed worse than ours.

Ours drafted him so it's sort of our powers combined

[Stanford]

Worst part is, he seemed to be in denial when asked about it by reporters. I'd be feeling very bad if this guy was on our team. Big Markelle vibes.

[Mik317]

Mikal went throught this in Pheonix too tbf

tweaks his jumper a lot with those gangly ass arms and then eventually gets it to a spot where it works. He adjusted it for more on ball shooting IIRC and now has to tweak it back for more catch and shoot

[SixthStreet]

The Knicks trades were awful but they were partially bailed out by Brunson signing a team-friendly deal. Bridges jumper looks fine off the dribble but something is seriously broken about his catch and shoots based on that video. And if he's initiating his off the dribble instead of through Brunson it's a big win for the defense.

[76ciology]

I’m more optimistic about McCain after his preseason performance. He’s shown a strong ability to penetrate the paint, score in the midrange, and finish at the rim. While he hasn’t yet found his rhythm from beyond the arc, it’s hard to imagine him not developing into at least a solid three point shooter in the future. I also think Morey values the deep 3 shooter like Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, and sees McCain to be able to provide that.

As he matures on defense, his ability to hold his ground and resist being backed down should improve. He’s also a player who embraces physicality, diving for loose balls and crashing the boards. Learning from Kyle Lowry could help him improve his defensive game even further.

[76ciology]

The Knicks trades were awful but they were partially bailed out by Brunson signing a team-friendly deal. Bridges jumper looks fine off the dribble but something is seriously broken about his catch and shoots based on that video. And if he's initiating his off the dribble instead of through Brunson it's a big win for the defense.

The Knicks really need an alternative playmaker to take the pressure off their primary initiators. Even a player like Luka Doncic needs to have Kyrie Irving to share the load. Right now, defenses can simply put a wing defender on Brunson, wearing him down over the course of a game or an entire series. If they rely on players like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, or even KAT to create, the offense could suffer, as they aren’t natural playmakers capable of consistently generating efficient offense for others.

[Wilfried]

The Knicks trades were awful but they were partially bailed out by Brunson signing a team-friendly deal. Bridges jumper looks fine off the dribble but something is seriously broken about his catch and shoots based on that video. And if he's initiating his off the dribble instead of through Brunson it's a big win for the defense.

The Knicks really need an alternative playmaker to take the pressure off their primary initiators. Even a player like Luka Doncic needs to have Kyrie Irving to share the load. Right now, defenses can simply put a wing defender on Brunson, wearing him down over the course of a game or an entire series. If they rely on players like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, or even KAT to create, the offense could suffer, as they aren’t natural playmakers capable of consistently generating efficient offense for others.

And who's the alternative playmaker on the Sixers?

[FlyingArrow]

The Knicks trades were awful but they were partially bailed out by Brunson signing a team-friendly deal. Bridges jumper looks fine off the dribble but something is seriously broken about his catch and shoots based on that video. And if he's initiating his off the dribble instead of through Brunson it's a big win for the defense.

The Knicks really need an alternative playmaker to take the pressure off their primary initiators. Even a player like Luka Doncic needs to have Kyrie Irving to share the load. Right now, defenses can simply put a wing defender on Brunson, wearing him down over the course of a game or an entire series. If they rely on players like Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, or even KAT to create, the offense could suffer, as they aren’t natural playmakers capable of consistently generating efficient offense for others.

And who's the alternative playmaker on the Sixers?

We have a big 3. Maxey can create his own offense. Or give it to Embiid or PG13 and they can get their own shot. A point guard will almost always bring the ball up the court, but you can run the offense through any one of those three.

[Sixerscan]

George is definitely a secondary playmaker he was averaging 5 APG and playing a decent amount of point before Harden showed up.

Lowry is what he is at this point but he’s still definitely a better setup guy than like Payne or McBride if that’s who he’s getting compared to.

[Murray_17]

The Knicks trades were awful but they were partially bailed out by Brunson signing a team-friendly deal. Bridges jumper looks fine off the dribble but something is seriously broken about his catch and shoots based on that video. And if he's initiating his off the dribble instead of through Brunson it's a big win for the defense.

Partially in the sense that it allow them to extend OG and get Mikhal and Towns but the team is what it's right now. They are out of moves.

If Mikhal shoot is really broke, that's it for them, literally

[Murray_17]

Boston is doing the same thing we tried at the beginning of the Knicks series leaving Hart open, and he looks completely afraid to take a shoot.

Lol, we are so cursed.

[stormi]

Insane mismatch, with Bridges regressed jumper and the loss of Donte, the Knicks just don't have the shooting to keep pace with the Celtics. Brunson is more crafty than Maxey, but his game is much more drive & kick + bullyball. He's not pushing around Brown/White/Holiday though so he has to rely on kickouts to Hart and Mikal.

The Celtics are horrifying though. Can easily cakewalk to another championship even with Porzingis as a part-timer.