PG: KNICKS Whoop The G-League Wizzez!!

[Clyde Frazier]

A quick overview of the Knicks 14 games into the season. Those close losses short change their overall performance:

3rd in offense, 21st in defense, 7th in net rating

The good: 2nd in eFG% and TS% (!), 4th in TOV%, 3rd in DRB%

The bad: 28th in FT rate, 29th in opponent TO%, 23rd in opponent eFG%

All things considered this team is really dangerous at their best, with some highs and lows so far. I’m confident they’ll continue to build chemistry. Towns really is a monster on offense. And with all of Brunson’s concerns, the guy is still putting up 24.4 PPG on 58.3% TS lol… the assists are a nice compromise and we know at the end of the day he just wants to win.

One of the easier 5 game road trips in recent memory coming up, usually they’re brutal especially out west: PHX, UTA, DEN, DAL, CHA

[sol537]

A 3-2 or 4-1 road trip would be great.

[HEZI]

A 3-2 or 4-1 road trip would be great.

5-0 and we building statues and getting ready for a parade

[stuporman]

Who would root for the 6ers when they no longer have Tobias Harris?

you know what isn't talked about enough - tobias leaves the 6ers and now they're finished. he heads to the pistons and now they're the 6th seed. and here people don't give you credit for being a visionary. your talents are wasted on us.

It's a lonely road

I noted this a week ago and yet there isn't enough and1s in the world to stop me from wishing it weren't true

[Jeff Van Gully]

A quick overview of the Knicks 14 games into the season. Those close losses short change their overall performance:

3rd in offense, 7th in defense, 7th in net rating

The good: 2nd in eFG% and TS% (!), 4th in TOV%, 3rd in DRB%

The bad: 28th in FT rate, 29th in opponent TO%, 23rd in opponent eFG%

All things considered this team is really dangerous at their best, with some highs and lows so far. I’m confident they’ll continue to build chemistry. Towns really is a monster on offense. And with all of Brunson’s concerns, the guy is still putting up 24.4 PPG on 58.3% TS lol… the assists are a nice compromise and we know at the end of the day he just wants to win.

One of the easier 5 game road trips in recent memory, usually they’re brutal especially out west: PHX, UTA, DEN, DAL, CHA

the houston and atlanta losses are the only ones that legit pissed me off because they felt like games we didn't show up for, which exacerbated my frustration with the (somewhat understandable) indiana revenge L. chicago L sucked but we didn't deserve to win that game.

but, these things take time.

also, the sky will be falling again at the next 1L of 82.

[rajajackal]

A quick overview of the Knicks 14 games into the season. Those close losses short change their overall performance:

3rd in offense, 7th in defense, 7th in net rating

The good: 2nd in eFG% and TS% (!), 4th in TOV%, 3rd in DRB%

The bad: 28th in FT rate, 29th in opponent TO%, 23rd in opponent eFG%

All things considered this team is really dangerous at their best, with some highs and lows so far. I’m confident they’ll continue to build chemistry. Towns really is a monster on offense. And with all of Brunson’s concerns, the guy is still putting up 24.4 PPG on 58.3% TS lol… the assists are a nice compromise and we know at the end of the day he just wants to win.

One of the easier 5 game road trips in recent memory, usually they’re brutal especially out west: PHX, UTA, DEN, DAL, CHA

the houston and atlanta losses are the only ones that legit pissed me off because they felt like games we didn't show up for, which exacerbated my frustration with the (somewhat understandable) indiana revenge L. chicago L sucked but we didn't deserve to win that game.

but, these things take time.

also, the sky will be falling again at the next 1L of 82.

the worst loss for me was against the cavs. they were undefeated yet we had them for most of the game. down the stretch we coughed the ball up too much, partially because it felt like brunson was playing against donovan mitchell and handing them a bunch of rebounds on misses. that scenario really frustrated me, but i know we got something for those guys next time we see em

[K_ick_God]

I think this is the game Brunson unlocked his shot for the season

positive buzz?!??!!!!??!!??!!

Terrible sign.

[Guano]

I could write a book on it but I think the NBA is losing people's hearts - attention at least - for various reasons, some of which have very little to do with basketball. It has been in scramble mode since COVID. But they have to contend with major headwinds and I don't think the measures they've implemented necessarily help.

We still love hoops.

Its easier and cheaper to pull up an illegal stream than subscribe to all the services to watch a game.

We do, but we're also crazies with an unhealthy attachment to a message board with circa-2002 emojis and to illegal streaming, the last bastion of our illusions of political subversion.

Wait - hol up - we're not normal?

[cgf]

Just a drubbing. Great to see our main guys getting on the same page and get some extended bench time.

I'm excited to watch Dadiet develop. Every night out there he shows something different. Tonight some alert passing.

Yeah, dunno if it'll be this year or for us, but Dadiet looks way closer to contributing than I expected. All of the rookies have been a pleasant surprise so far really...hopefully they keep building on that as the season goes along.

[3toheadmelo]

A quick overview of the Knicks 14 games into the season. Those close losses short change their overall performance:

3rd in offense, 7th in defense, 7th in net rating

The good: 2nd in eFG% and TS% (!), 4th in TOV%, 3rd in DRB%

The bad: 28th in FT rate, 29th in opponent TO%, 23rd in opponent eFG%

All things considered this team is really dangerous at their best, with some highs and lows so far. I’m confident they’ll continue to build chemistry. Towns really is a monster on offense. And with all of Brunson’s concerns, the guy is still putting up 24.4 PPG on 58.3% TS lol… the assists are a nice compromise and we know at the end of the day he just wants to win.

One of the easier 5 game road trips in recent memory, usually they’re brutal especially out west: PHX, UTA, DEN, DAL, CHA

the houston and atlanta losses are the only ones that legit pissed me off because they felt like games we didn't show up for, which exacerbated my frustration with the (somewhat understandable) indiana revenge L. chicago L sucked but we didn't deserve to win that game.

but, these things take time.

also, the sky will be falling again at the next 1L of 82.

the worst loss for me was against the cavs. they were undefeated yet we had them for most of the game. down the stretch we coughed the ball up too much, partially because it felt like brunson was playing against donovan mitchell and handing them a bunch of rebounds on misses. that scenario really frustrated me, but i know we got something for those guys next time we see em

Same. And that was KAT’s most frustrating game for me. Since then he’s been on a tear (offensively)

[cgf]

A quick overview of the Knicks 14 games into the season. Those close losses short change their overall performance:

3rd in offense, 7th in defense, 7th in net rating

The good: 2nd in eFG% and TS% (!), 4th in TOV%, 3rd in DRB%

The bad: 28th in FT rate, 29th in opponent TO%, 23rd in opponent eFG%

All things considered this team is really dangerous at their best, with some highs and lows so far. I’m confident they’ll continue to build chemistry. Towns really is a monster on offense. And with all of Brunson’s concerns, the guy is still putting up 24.4 PPG on 58.3% TS lol… the assists are a nice compromise and we know at the end of the day he just wants to win.

One of the easier 5 game road trips in recent memory, usually they’re brutal especially out west: PHX, UTA, DEN, DAL, CHA

the houston and atlanta losses are the only ones that legit pissed me off because they felt like games we didn't show up for, which exacerbated my frustration with the (somewhat understandable) indiana revenge L. chicago L sucked but we didn't deserve to win that game.

but, these things take time.

also, the sky will be falling again at the next 1L of 82.

the worst loss for me was against the cavs. they were undefeated yet we had them for most of the game. down the stretch we coughed the ball up too much, partially because it felt like brunson was playing against donovan mitchell and handing them a bunch of rebounds on misses. that scenario really frustrated me, but i know we got something for those guys next time we see em

The Cavs match up is one where not having Mitch made a big difference. We couldn't control the paint/glass against them, but with Mitch pushing Josh back to the bench we'd be bigger than them across the board...while still having the better shooting. Not to mention the spark Josh brings when he comes off the bench.

[GONYK]

the houston and atlanta losses are the only ones that legit pissed me off because they felt like games we didn't show up for, which exacerbated my frustration with the (somewhat understandable) indiana revenge L. chicago L sucked but we didn't deserve to win that game.

but, these things take time.

also, the sky will be falling again at the next 1L of 82.

the worst loss for me was against the cavs. they were undefeated yet we had them for most of the game. down the stretch we coughed the ball up too much, partially because it felt like brunson was playing against donovan mitchell and handing them a bunch of rebounds on misses. that scenario really frustrated me, but i know we got something for those guys next time we see em

The Cavs match up is one where not having Mitch made a big difference. We couldn't control the paint/glass against them, but with Mitch pushing Josh back to the bench we'd be bigger than them across the board...while still having the better shooting. Not to mention the spark Josh brings when he comes off the bench.

Why would Mitch replace Josh rather than take on an expanded Sims role?

[K_ick_God]

The switch to high volume three point shooting has definitely taken some of the substance out of the game. Just running back forth chucking threes too often. One and done offense and then scrambling back to try and play D while the other team runs up the court and jacks a three. It can be pretty ugly when the shots aren't falling. The superteams took a lot out of it too for a while. Not being allowed to play defense. Superstar leniency with calls. Foul baiting and flopping. Now with all of the gambling people think the refs are in on the fix with the terrible officiating. Then the stupid gimmicks have also turned people off. The streaming blackouts. Terrible all star games. It's a different game from the one I grew up watching.

I think that's only the tip of the iceberg.

I'll be honest. Outside of the Knicks, I have no interest in NBA hoops. The product is just stale and the reasons are listed above.

On the flip side, i was locked in all summer on WNBA games, I'd pull up any games regardless if it were the Liberty, Fever. Etc. It was more engaging and fun to watch for me personally. The style of basketball is less about threes and more of a mixture like it was in the 00s. The refs, who suck, also don't play favorites, and the play is super physical.

I dunno. The League just isn't fun anymore. The Knicks bring me joy. Everything else? Meh. I would rather watch a movie or play a video game than watching an NBA marquee match up not involving the Knicks.

Extremely interesting.

[cgf]

the worst loss for me was against the cavs. they were undefeated yet we had them for most of the game. down the stretch we coughed the ball up too much, partially because it felt like brunson was playing against donovan mitchell and handing them a bunch of rebounds on misses. that scenario really frustrated me, but i know we got something for those guys next time we see em

The Cavs match up is one where not having Mitch made a big difference. We couldn't control the paint/glass against them, but with Mitch pushing Josh back to the bench we'd be bigger than them across the board...while still having the better shooting. Not to mention the spark Josh brings when he comes off the bench.

Why would Mitch replace Josh rather than take on an expanded Sims role?

I don't think greater chemistry will fix our rim protection issues with KAT at the 5, especially against the top teams. Towns has improved a lot since I watched the Timberbulls regularly, but he's still just not a good rim protector and asking him to do is just asking him to rack up the fouls...which his clumsiness does a good enough job of already.

So I think our best form will be similar to last year's wolves only with better shooting around Karl...with Mitch protecting the paint, Karl playing the 4, Bridges & Anunoby wrecking havoc, and Jalen doing his thing. That lineup should be a real force defensively, while still lighting teams up with 4 high end shooters around the league's premier offensive rebounder.


Plus I think Hart makes more of an impact when he comes off the bench. It's good for him to get comfortable starting because it's not unlikely that one of Robinson or Anunoby is injured at some point during a playoff run...but at our best, I think he's coming off the bench with Deuce to juice our energy or beat up on 2nd/heavily-blended units.


But Thibs is a center whisperer, so no harm seeing if he can't teach Karl to protect the rim without fouling until we get Mitch / Precious back, and let the guys build chemistry with this smaller lineup just to have that option in games where we're locking a team up but struggling to open them up ourselves.

Because ultimately your best lineup to attack one team might not be the same as your best lineup to attack another...but against the Cavs, I think we'd really beat them up if we went big.

[GONYK]

The Cavs match up is one where not having Mitch made a big difference. We couldn't control the paint/glass against them, but with Mitch pushing Josh back to the bench we'd be bigger than them across the board...while still having the better shooting. Not to mention the spark Josh brings when he comes off the bench.

Why would Mitch replace Josh rather than take on an expanded Sims role?

I don't think greater chemistry will fix our rim protection issues with KAT at the 5, especially against the top teams. Towns has improved a lot since I watched the Timberbulls regularly, but he's still just not a good rim protector and asking him to do is just asking him to rack up the fouls...which his clumsiness does a good enough job of already.

So I think our best form will be similar to last year's wolves only with better shooting around Karl...with Mitch protecting the paint, Karl playing the 4, Bridges & Anunoby wrecking havoc, and Jalen doing his thing. That lineup should be a real force defensively, while still lighting teams up with 4 high end shooters around the league's premier offensive rebounder.


Plus I think Hart makes more of an impact when he comes off the bench. It's good for him to get comfortable starting because it's not unlikely that one of Robinson or Anunoby is injured at some point during a playoff run...but at our best, I think he's coming off the bench with Deuce to juice our energy or beat up on 2nd/heavily-blended units.


But Thibs is a center whisperer, so no harm seeing if he can't teach Karl to protect the rim without fouling until we get Mitch / Precious back, and let the guys build chemistry with this smaller lineup just to have that option in games where we're locking a team up but struggling to open them up ourselves.

Because ultimately your best lineup to attack one team might not be the same as your best lineup to attack another...but against the Cavs, I think we'd really beat them up if we went big.

I think we will pair Mitch with KAT opportunistically, but the whole rationale of the KAT trade was the offensive advantage he provides at the 5. The bet is that an elite offense is more important to contention than a top defense. Plus, Hart has been phenomenal in his role as the secondary creator and do-everything glue guy.

Obviously, you let the game speak to you on a night to night basis, but I think we can pretty much put KAT getting 25-30 mins a night at the 5 in pen, even with a healthy Mitch and Precious, otherwise we don't maximize him. KAT at the 4 allows the other team to guard him with a big wing and basically just ignore Mitch defensively.

[mpharris36]

yeah Mitch is not coming back to start...they aren't going to expose him to starters minutes either with his injury history.

This is our starting unit. Precious and Mitch will compliment and be used in different rotations depending on the team.

Hart has bene like our best connective piece and is the only one that pushes the pace and gets easy baskets.

The KAT trade was made for him to start at the 5 and make an elite offense and then hopefully be able to manage at least an avg level defense.

[3toheadmelo]

The thing with playing KAT at the 5 is if it makes our offense good enough to offset his defense at the 5. So far it hasn’t against contenders (Bos, Cleveland).

[mpharris36]

The thing with playing KAT at the 5 is if it makes our offense good enough to offset his defense at the 5. So far it hasn’t against contenders (Bos, Cleveland).

BOS game was just a disaster....I still want to chalk that up as ring ceremony night and our first game with new team. BOS was making everything.

The CLE game we were up double digits late in the second half and just collapsed. Brunson was 8-24 in that game and he typically torches the Cavs. We looked good for 3 qtrs against the cavs...we probably gave them there biggest scare this season we just couldn't close out the game.

[GONYK]

The thing with playing KAT at the 5 is if it makes our offense good enough to offset his defense at the 5. So far it hasn’t against contenders (Bos, Cleveland).

BOS game was just a disaster....I still want to chalk that up as ring ceremony night and our first game with new team. BOS was making everything.

The CLE game we were up double digits late in the second half and just collapsed. Brunson was 8-24 in that game and he typically torches the Cavs. We looked good for 3 qtrs against the cavs...we probably gave them there biggest scare this season we just couldn't close out the game.

I also think you have to factor in the team needing time to gel. The goal is to have this team running like a machine come playoff time and for the net 2-3 seasons. You can't really judge the concept viability after 10 games.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

I think that's only the tip of the iceberg.

I'll be honest. Outside of the Knicks, I have no interest in NBA hoops. The product is just stale and the reasons are listed above.

On the flip side, i was locked in all summer on WNBA games, I'd pull up any games regardless if it were the Liberty, Fever. Etc. It was more engaging and fun to watch for me personally. The style of basketball is less about threes and more of a mixture like it was in the 00s. The refs, who suck, also don't play favorites, and the play is super physical.

I dunno. The League just isn't fun anymore. The Knicks bring me joy. Everything else? Meh. I would rather watch a movie or play a video game than watching an NBA marquee match up not involving the Knicks.

You should try watching Denver imo