PG: The hair foul game

[stuporman]

Players that add depth, versatility and have contributed to the Knicks success in the past? How could they do it in the future once they return? Really, those guys? Pfft...

[stuporman]

Thibs doesn’t coach Brunson.

Hmm... I know it's all the rage to hottake the way through life but sounds like you are coming from your feelz on this one.

[knicks94]

This by far has been the most exciting Knicks season of my an entire life.

[stuporman]

"Just do this instead" is some of the funniest azz shyt people come up with on social media that has zero basis in reality...this isn't a video game.

[Chanel Bomber]

It’s pretty cool seeing lavine back healthy. Really fun player to watch when he has it going. Whoever trades for him is getting a good player. Averaging 23 PPG on 54/42/73 splits. Hyper efficient.

He's a good piece to have, you're just going nowhere with him as a top option. And you have to account for his poor defense. But I think he would be great here as a Divo replacement. We miss a dynamic 3-point shooter/ballhandler on the perimeter without Divo. The contract is an albatross but purely as a basketball player he'd be a much better fit than Mikal.

defensively - a Brunson-LeVine-Towns roster would be a disaster. Colby White, however, would be an excellent fit on the roster next to Brunson. This would slide Bridges down to the 3 where he is better suited as well.

I doubt NY has the pieces to pull this off - it would take Mitchell Robinson's salary and assets which NY doesn't have.

The backcourt worked well with Divo, and I see Lavine as being essentially the same kind of player but more talented on offense. You may be right that adding Towns to the equation makes such a backcourt untenable, as Mitch and iHart covered for a lot of Brunson-Divo's deficiencies on defense.

I don't think the Knicks can pull it off anyway so any Lavine talk is moot. That's why I said "purely as a basketball player" i.e. not considering other factors like contracts.

I do think we need a volume 3-point shooter on the wings, and everybody assumed Mikal would take on those responsibility. So far he hasn't, but Inshallah he'll find his jumpshot again soon.

[K_ick_God]

To be fair, Brunson hit two nice go-ahead shots before the one that nearly went in, so that's good. He also came back passing a little. But arguably Towns should be shooting the last shot. Dunno. His standing in the middle of nowhere on defense is not okay.

And I think he hasn't found the right rhythm to help Mikal and Towns. If that clicked somehow, the Knicks could do a lot. It's hard to say whether the defense is the main problem because Brunson isn't yet blending with KAT and Mikal. If that happened, they'd get momentum stops.

[Chanel Bomber]

And Brunson is having his career worst EFF season...with the paint wide open.

If you asking me our two biggest issue right now its defense (mostly scheme) and then Brunson needs to simply play better.

I think it's a combination of factors, which includes both offense and defense.

Defensively, the lack of adaptability with the schemes has been an issue. The lack of rim protection with Towns is also an issue that needs to be acknowledged, and the fact that in my view his offense outweighs his defense doesn't diminish the fact that he's a weak link defensively. The fact that Mikal isn't a difference-maker on defense is also a problem because we need to contain dribble penetration and rolls on the perimeter to mitigate our lack of presence at the rim.

On offense, we're not taking enough 3s. Two of our wing players Mikal and Hart barely take any and they are both shooting below 31%. This is a major problem for an offense that was supposed to be high-powered on another level with Brunson and KAT leading the way. I think Brunson's struggles are a bit overstated, even though he hasn't been as good as last year. The bigger issue is that we're not punishing teams from behind the arc and the lack of shooting from Mikal and Hart is a problem that could fester if it doesn't improve.

I think this team projected to be better offensively than it has been and the poor 3-point shooting from Mikal (and Hart but this was expected) plays a major role in this.

Thats not true at all Mikal leads the team in 3pt FG attempted....he's 40% on corner 3's...he is just abysmal on above the break 3's..so either we need to have brunson or KAT find him more in the corners or he needs to stop shooting so many ATB 3's and take attack more in mid ranges where he has been elite at.

I stand corrected on his attempts. He's only averaging 4 attempts in the last 3 games, which probably warped my perception.

Still, I think the overall volume of 3s attempted and the lack of 3-point accuracy from two of our three wings (Mikal and Hart) is an issue that drags down the offense. Just applying a .400 3P% to Mikal's 6.3 attempts results in approximately 1.8 point difference per game - it's a pretty significant difference, unless my quick math is wrong.

In the whole Eastern Conference, the Knicks have the lowest-volume #1 shot-taker on the team from 3 among all 15 teams. Below even the Pistons and Wizards. So if anything, Mikal leading the team in attempts is an unhealthy sign about our offense.

I think you're too focused on the Knicks in your assessment here. If you zoom out, I think you'll start to notice how much the state of our 3-point shooting is holding back our offense.

We don't have enough outlets from behind the three point line, or we're not using them correctly. It's a bit of a waste of our 5-out lineup if we can't punish teams from behind the arc.

[Fury]

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[mpharris36]

I think it's a combination of factors, which includes both offense and defense.

Defensively, the lack of adaptability with the schemes has been an issue. The lack of rim protection with Towns is also an issue that needs to be acknowledged, and the fact that in my view his offense outweighs his defense doesn't diminish the fact that he's a weak link defensively. The fact that Mikal isn't a difference-maker on defense is also a problem because we need to contain dribble penetration and rolls on the perimeter to mitigate our lack of presence at the rim.

On offense, we're not taking enough 3s. Two of our wing players Mikal and Hart barely take any and they are both shooting below 31%. This is a major problem for an offense that was supposed to be high-powered on another level with Brunson and KAT leading the way. I think Brunson's struggles are a bit overstated, even though he hasn't been as good as last year. The bigger issue is that we're not punishing teams from behind the arc and the lack of shooting from Mikal and Hart is a problem that could fester if it doesn't improve.

I think this team projected to be better offensively than it has been and the poor 3-point shooting from Mikal (and Hart but this was expected) plays a major role in this.

Thats not true at all Mikal leads the team in 3pt FG attempted....he's 40% on corner 3's...he is just abysmal on above the break 3's..so either we need to have brunson or KAT find him more in the corners or he needs to stop shooting so many ATB 3's and take attack more in mid ranges where he has been elite at.

I stand corrected on his attempts. He's only averaging 4 attempts in the last 3 games, which probably warped my perception.

Still, I think the overall volume of 3s attempted and the lack of 3-point accuracy from two of our three wings (Mikal and Hart) is an issue that drags down the offense. Just applying a .400 3P% to Mikal's 6.3 attempts results in approximately 1.8 point difference per game - it's a pretty significant difference, unless my quick math is wrong.

In the whole Eastern Conference, the Knicks have the lowest-volume #1 shot-taker on the team from 3 among all 15 teams. Below even the Pistons and Wizards. So if anything, Mikal leading the team in attempts is an unhealthy sign about our offense.

I think you're too focused on the Knicks in your assessment here. If you zoom out, I think you'll start to notice how much the state of our 3-point shooting is holding back our offense.

We don't have enough outlets from behind the three point line, or we're not using them correctly. It's a bit of a waste of our 5-out lineup if we can't punish teams from behind the arc.

I guess I'm trying to say I have zero worries about our offense we are 4th now with all the "concerns" you are mentioning.

I don't think Mikal is going to shoot 30% from 3 either. History shows that wont happen.

I also don't think Brunson is going to be a 57% TS guy throughout the season either...he starts slow.

So those even just uptick slightly we are talking a top 2 probably offense in the sport since I think we overtake CLE and GSW eventually and it would be us and BOS.

The issue remains the defense. If Thibs takes the easy road and goes big and puts a center with KAT then I agree we probably see impact to our OFF rating. But if he actually learns how to adj his coaching and adapt we should be able to get close to top 10 defensively with our wing defenders.

Our starting lineup has the worst DEF rating in the NBA...that is simply unacceptable for a team that has OG, Mikal, and Hart on the floor. We are talking Wizards level bad...that is 100% scheme and coaching we shouldn't be that bad...

[MrDollarBills]

it's November, and I'm ready to crash out. let me log off.

Protect your peace.

The way I just wrote a paragraph about how a poster thinks we would be better with Randle at center and deleted it.... yeah you're right lol.

Yeah it's not worth it. It's early in the season, people are on edge. I expect a much improved December and January for this club

[Chanel Bomber]

Thats not true at all Mikal leads the team in 3pt FG attempted....he's 40% on corner 3's...he is just abysmal on above the break 3's..so either we need to have brunson or KAT find him more in the corners or he needs to stop shooting so many ATB 3's and take attack more in mid ranges where he has been elite at.

I stand corrected on his attempts. He's only averaging 4 attempts in the last 3 games, which probably warped my perception.

Still, I think the overall volume of 3s attempted and the lack of 3-point accuracy from two of our three wings (Mikal and Hart) is an issue that drags down the offense. Just applying a .400 3P% to Mikal's 6.3 attempts results in approximately 1.8 point difference per game - it's a pretty significant difference, unless my quick math is wrong.

In the whole Eastern Conference, the Knicks have the lowest-volume #1 shot-taker on the team from 3 among all 15 teams. Below even the Pistons and Wizards. So if anything, Mikal leading the team in attempts is an unhealthy sign about our offense.

I think you're too focused on the Knicks in your assessment here. If you zoom out, I think you'll start to notice how much the state of our 3-point shooting is holding back our offense.

We don't have enough outlets from behind the three point line, or we're not using them correctly. It's a bit of a waste of our 5-out lineup if we can't punish teams from behind the arc.

I guess I'm trying to say I have zero worries about our offense we are 4th now with all the "concerns" you are mentioning.

I don't think Mikal is going to shoot 30% from 3 either. History shows that wont happen.

I also don't think Brunson is going to be a 57% TS guy throughout the season either...he starts slow.

So those even just uptick slightly we are talking a top 2 probably offense in the sport since I think we overtake CLE and GSW eventually and it would be us and BOS.

The issue remains the defense. If Thibs takes the easy road and goes big and puts a center with KAT then I agree we probably see impact to our OFF rating. But if he actually learns how to adj his coaching and adapt we should be able to get close to top 10 defensively with our wing defenders.

Our starting lineup has the worst DEF rating in the NBA...that is simply unacceptable for a team that has OG, Mikal, and Hart on the floor. We are talking Wizards level bad...that is 100% scheme and coaching we shouldn't be that bad...

We can agree to disagree.

I'm not overly worried yet. But I think offense could be and should be better.

On our defense, I agree that Thibs isn't showing enough adaptability with his schemes. But I think there is also a personnel issue, which I think you're underselling. To put this "100%" on Thibs is stretching it imo.

Hart and Mikal may provide length on the perimeter but I'd argue that neither is actually a good defender. I think they top out as slightly above average.

If we wanted a difference-maker on defense, we should've gone for Caruso.

We can't have a strong defense with KAT at the 5 and Brunson at the 1 with average defense from the wings. OG is a stud defensively but Mikal and Hart are not providing the support we need to hide our other deficiencies.

[mpharris36]

I stand corrected on his attempts. He's only averaging 4 attempts in the last 3 games, which probably warped my perception.

Still, I think the overall volume of 3s attempted and the lack of 3-point accuracy from two of our three wings (Mikal and Hart) is an issue that drags down the offense. Just applying a .400 3P% to Mikal's 6.3 attempts results in approximately 1.8 point difference per game - it's a pretty significant difference, unless my quick math is wrong.

In the whole Eastern Conference, the Knicks have the lowest-volume #1 shot-taker on the team from 3 among all 15 teams. Below even the Pistons and Wizards. So if anything, Mikal leading the team in attempts is an unhealthy sign about our offense.

I think you're too focused on the Knicks in your assessment here. If you zoom out, I think you'll start to notice how much the state of our 3-point shooting is holding back our offense.

We don't have enough outlets from behind the three point line, or we're not using them correctly. It's a bit of a waste of our 5-out lineup if we can't punish teams from behind the arc.

I guess I'm trying to say I have zero worries about our offense we are 4th now with all the "concerns" you are mentioning.

I don't think Mikal is going to shoot 30% from 3 either. History shows that wont happen.

I also don't think Brunson is going to be a 57% TS guy throughout the season either...he starts slow.

So those even just uptick slightly we are talking a top 2 probably offense in the sport since I think we overtake CLE and GSW eventually and it would be us and BOS.

The issue remains the defense. If Thibs takes the easy road and goes big and puts a center with KAT then I agree we probably see impact to our OFF rating. But if he actually learns how to adj his coaching and adapt we should be able to get close to top 10 defensively with our wing defenders.

Our starting lineup has the worst DEF rating in the NBA...that is simply unacceptable for a team that has OG, Mikal, and Hart on the floor. We are talking Wizards level bad...that is 100% scheme and coaching we shouldn't be that bad...

We can agree to disagree.

I'm not overly worried yet. But I think offense could be and should be better.

On our defense, I agree that Thibs isn't showing enough adaptability with his schemes. But I think there is also a personnel issue, which I think you're underselling. To put this "100%" on Thibs is stretching it imo.

Hart and Mikal may provide length on the perimeter but I'd argue that neither is actually a good defender. I think they top out as slightly above average.

If we wanted a difference-maker on defense, we should've gone for Caruso.

We can't have a strong defense with KAT at the 5 and Brunson at the 1 with average defense from the wings. OG is a stud defensively but Mikal and Hart are not providing the support we need to hide our other deficiencies.

I don't need us to be top 10 DEF though I need us not to be more in that range.

I don't need to see KAT in drop coverage all game. Because Thibs is too stubborn to run a more switch base scheme.

Also Caruso defense is great he's also on 31/22/71 splits this year so the point of the mikal acquisition wa to give us scoring while also be a good defender.

I don't think the scheme is doing them any justice.

Thibs like always is too worried about giving up 2's close to the basket instead of wide open 3's...when most teams don't even exploit mismatches in the post outside of a few players.

KAT was a 4 last year so he even has more experience guarding wings from last couple years.

Even the last possession should have been a switch between KAT and Hart...but thibs is just too stubborn to commit to that style of defense.

I think organically and just law of avgs should make us move up slightly OFF

I think we need a major scheme overhaul to be better defensively.

[sol537]

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Very interesting… elite shooting of you take out above the break three’s completely. Hopefully he figures those out soon.

[thebuzzardman]

This was fun. When is the next game!?

[NoDopeOnSundays]

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For people that don't know what above the break is, that means non-corner threes. And what that really means is if he can't make top of the key three or wing threes, he cannot be on the ball as much as you'd like in those areas because everyone will just go under or switch if KAT sets a pick for him.

[Reign23]

just came home after a hard day at the office and watched this. lord have mercy.

Knicks fandom is not a relaxing hobby

ngl at least the made a run. I was ready for a big overreaction in the 3rd quarter

[Reign23]

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For people that don't know what above the break is, that means non-corner threes. And what that really means is if he can't make top of the three or wing threes, he cannot be on the ball as much as you'd like.

one of the strangest seasons ever so far. shoots like KD from the midrange and like Westbrook from three.

[The KnicksFix]

This by far has been the most exciting Knicks season of my an entire life.

Replace exciting with stressful and you’ve got me

[JBreezeNY]

[Iron Mantis]

This was fun. When is the next game!?

Tomorrow and Sunday vs the Nets.

Make the GT, Buzz..... Lead us to a new, golden age!