are the Knicks LEGIT contenders?!

[PierceFan4ever]

Knicks are a contender by definition as in one of 5 best teams in the league. No shame in losing to the best team in the league at home cause they’re gonna do the same to a lot of teams like last season.

[Patsfan1081]

Knicks lack depth. Thibs is going to play the starters 42-44 mpg and run them into the ground. Everyone will be hurt for the playoffs.

Where have we seen this movie before?

How is the Knicks depth worse than Boston, Milwaukee, or Philly’s? The team has 3 bench guys capable of starting without the team falling off…McBride, Hart, & Achiuwa.

Plus Payne who did well for Philly last season and Sims who stepped in during injuries and looked solid. Yes our depth could use work but I don’t see a significant disadvantage until we get to the younger teams (Indy / Orlando).

Posting and toasting pointed it out, Knick’s lack shooting off the bench. Boston has a few guys coming off the bench that will shoot 40% on 5/6 attempts a game. Seems like a decent gap. Isn’t Hart more of a starter now also? He started tonight, half the games last season with Mitchell’s concerns.

[Bobbymcgee]

I thought Bridges and Anonuby were brought in to stop players like Tatum and Brown. They failed miserably today, and I don't see them doing much better going forward.

Towns did not look comfortable at the center spot.

Team chemistry is dead on this team.

Their bench was severely weakened in the off-season.

[3toheadmelo]

kat's defense at the 5 is historically bad. we need a rim protecting c next to him asap

[doogie_hauser]

It was only one game but the Knicks fans and players seemed to talk a lot in the pre season about how they are ready to contend/match it with the likes of Boston etc

Their biggest weakness from last season (lack of quality perimeter defending) was exposed tonight.

But I do think the Celtics were motivated tonight by the Yankees and esp all the talk pre season of The Knicks being the new glamour team in the East.

[knicksfan974]

It was only one game but the Knicks fans and players seemed to talk a lot in the pre season about how they are ready to contend/match it with the likes of Boston etc

Their biggest weakness from last season (lack of quality perimeter defending) was exposed tonight.

But I do think the Celtics were motivated tonight by the Yankees and esp all the talk pre season of The Knicks being the new glamour team in the East.

I don't see how lack of perimeter defending is a Knicks weakness, when you got the likes of Hart, OG and Bridges on the starting five. The Celtics just made the shots, contested or uncontested, plain and simple. It likely won't be like that every game, so not too worried about that. You live by the three, you die by the three.

[doogie_hauser]

It was only one game but the Knicks fans and players seemed to talk a lot in the pre season about how they are ready to contend/match it with the likes of Boston etc

Their biggest weakness from last season (lack of quality perimeter defending) was exposed tonight.

But I do think the Celtics were motivated tonight by the Yankees and esp all the talk pre season of The Knicks being the new glamour team in the East.

I don't see how lack of perimeter defending is a Knicks weakness, when you got the likes of Hart, OG and Bridges on the starting five. The Celtics just made the shots, contested or uncontested, plain and simple. It likely won't be like that every game, so not too worried about that. You live by the three, you die by the three.

Aside from Bridges, that trio you mentioned are not exactly high volume scorers.

Divo is starting to cook for Minnesota. You will miss his microwave scoring off the bench. But I get you had to trade him to get KAT

[picc]

Knicks problems:

1. Kat is a 3rd option masquerading as a 2nd option

2. Bridges is a 4th option masquerading as a 3rd option

3. OG is a 6th option masquerading as a 4th option. OG has always thought he's way better on offense than he actually is, and against good playoff teams where possession economy is key, that thing he does where he decides it's time to show he's more than just a 3+D guy is going to cost the Knicks valuable possessions

4. KAT is not a paint protector and Mitchell Robinson won't be either even when he's playing, which won't be often

5. OG is an incredible defender but Bridges' reputation far exceeds his actual ability, which means the Knicks have one elite on-ball defender. Which won't even matter since every team will just hunt the two defensive liabilities they have in Brunson and KAT, and will hunt them together.

Brunson is incredible but the Knicks are a team with an elite first option and then a 3rd option and a 4th option who have moved up in the pecking order by default.

I thought the Sixers were clearly the 2nd best team in the east after the summer if healthy, and tonight did nothing to refute that. Of course the Sixers being healthy is a pipe dream so NY may not have to worry about them at all. But I think the Knicks have real issues on offense and defense and won't be surprised if they're a 2nd round exit.

[Sakkreth]

I don't see them winning vs the Celtics. And if they somehow do I don't see them winning against whoever comes out of the West. Second best team in the East, but there are like 4 teams that I'd take over them in the West. They would be in that 2nd tier pot in the West with bunch of teams. Does that make them a contender?

[basketballRob]

I'm not convinced that they are better than the team with Hartenstein, DDV, and Randle. Bridges is capable of being a star role player when he settles in. I prefer a center that can pass and defend like Hartenstein over Towns.



Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[chrisab123]

Knicks are a contender by definition as in one of 5 best teams in the league. No shame in losing to the best team in the league at home cause they’re gonna do the same to a lot of teams like last season.

I don't think they’re better than Boston Denver OKC or Minnesota for sure. Then you look at the next tier of them Dallas Milwaukee Philly Phoenix etc…so they might be 8-10. Who knows. KAT has never been able to play D. That’s going to be tough

[celtxman]

Nothing changed last night. The Knicks are legitimate contenders. I do agree that with the off season moves the Knicks have a higher ceiling but a lower floor.

[Larry_Russell]

Knicks biggest problem is that Brunson has never met a shot he didnt like. and the knicks have no one else that can distribute the ball and create.

And none of Kat, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Mitchell can go out and get themselves points. They need a distributor.
Last season Knicks were 29th in assists, and they lost guys who actually created and passed.

Look at the past few teams that have won the title.
Celtics have Tatum, Jrue, White, Brown
Denver has Jokic and murray
Bucks had Jrue, Middleton and Giannis


Knicks are a cobbled together attempt at trying to play like the celtics, and it falls well short. I think there is as high a chance of the Knicks finishing behind Philly, Milwaukee, Indiana and Orlando as finishing in front of them.

[RandlesCornrows]

Knicks biggest problem is that Brunson has never met a shot he didnt like. and the knicks have no one else that can distribute the ball and create.

And none of Kat, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, Mitchell can go out and get themselves points. They need a distributor.
Last season Knicks were 29th in assists, and they lost guys who actually created and passed.

Look at the past few teams that have won the title.
Celtics have Tatum, Jrue, White, Brown
Denver has Jokic and murray
Bucks had Jrue, Middleton and Giannis


Knicks are a cobbled together attempt at trying to play like the celtics, and it falls well short. I think there is as high a chance of the Knicks finishing behind Philly, Milwaukee, Indiana and Orlando as finishing in front of them.

Listen here Mr. Big Shot, Mr. Celtic, it was game 1. Kolek will eventually be in the rotation, and the Knicks will make adjustments and eventually out KAT at the 4 and get a shot blocker next to KAT. I would agree if Mikal decided to stay autistic, but he decided in quarter 3 to use his brain and reform his shot back.

This is a new team, and a new team requires time to gel especially going against one of the greatest at team in history, so you can take that ring and shove it up your assss

[gpoon]

NGL this team would be better if they swap KAT for Divincenzo and Randel. Or even if they swap OG for Barrett and Quickley.

[Helsbyte]

I know first game over reaction is happening but what concerns me the most is not Boston shooting lights out, it was the constant open looks they were generating against NY defense.

[CometGM]

But I think the Knicks have real issues on offense and defense and won't be surprised if they're a 2nd round exit.

What's the Knicks issue on offense? If it's regarding Bridges' shot, that will come around.
Your whole "masquerading as option" bit is obviously hyperbole and trolling. Knicks will be a top 5 offense.

And after all your "points" you say you wouldn't be surprised if they're a 2nd round exit as if that is some great big revelation. Any team being out the 2nd round except the Celtics wouldn't be a surprise. 2 really good teams are guaranteed to meet in the 2nd round.

In the end it's the defense which will be more important to beating Bos/Phil/Mil/etc. If they can hold up, or figure out a consistent scheme they can beat anybody because their offense is that good.

[tsherkin]

I know first game over reaction is happening but what concerns me the most is not Boston shooting lights out, it was the constant open looks they were generating against NY defense.

They were the best offense in the RS last year. Is it that surprising?

[CodeBreaker]

That OG contract starting to look bad

[Darth Celtic]

It wasn't that Boston was just making shots. Tatum might be the only guy to shoot a contested three. The Knicks defense was clobbered. If you are that open and an NBA shooter, you will make more than you miss. And they did. Knicks have to rethink team defense, and some of that is thibs. Every time they doubled Tatum 25 ft from basket I laughed as I knew we would soon forget wide open 3. Over and over