PG: Knicks vs Suns- 11/21/24

[MrDollarBills]

On another note, I'm watching the replay of last night

Man Jamal Crawford is REALLY good. Spot on analysis, and he makes great analogies too. If I'm NBC I'm calling his agent TODAY.

I'm a sucker for good color analysis. Clyde, Monica, and now J Crossover....this fanbase is really well served on the TV side.

Likewise, I didn't get to watch last night but I'm excited to hear him call games. Any time I've heard him on the major networks he's been excellent.

It's funny because at least on the court I thought of him as a bit of a ditz for the first part of his career because he tended to freelance a lot. He's really proven me wrong. He's one of those guys who probably would have benefit from coming up in this era where his skills would be assimilated into a great system. Imagine him on the Warriors.

Yeah in his early days he was kind of immature as a player, he tended to over dribble himself into trouble, but man. When he figured it out dude was pure filth.

I feel like we don't see as many guys coming into the league with that kind of handle anymore.

Outside of Kyrie who else is really super disgusting with it nowadays in terms of elite handles?

[mpharris36]

that just not fair.

if a coach played his starters all 48 minutes every game you still wouldn't say that?

Its not just black and white...there is a grey area here.

Is every injury thibs related....no
Is every injury related to minutes distribution....no

could extensive minutes and wear and tear potentially lead to more injuries....yes

you can't just say every injury is just happenstance. That is a bad faith argument.

I'm not putting all the blame on him...but its wildly considered in the NBA that Thibs is a lunatic...even on ESPN last night Bob Myers asked why are the Knicks starters still in...when the PHX starters were removed. If someone got injured in that stretch would that not be on thibs and just "part of the game"?

But you are going based on assumption. Your no doctor I’m no doctor so what plays what role in a certain players injury is not something we can answer. Every case is different so let’s stick to what we actually do know and not pretend like we are now some medical experts. So you are just scapegoating because a player gets injured and there is nobody else to blame but the coach

If Thibs caused Derrick Rose to tear his ACL because he played him 35 mpg then you should have beef with every coach in the league

Coaches playing guys under 30 minutes still can’t keep certain players healthy. Coaches playing guys that are fat and out of shape 37 mpg can still reach the finals. It’s just what it is

Hezi, this is my career. I’m a sports physical therapist. Mp makes valid points here.

I am no doctor but you have people review medicals do testing on these players probably on a daily basis. Load management and minutes restrictions weren't just pulled out of thin air...years and years of research was provided to teams and organization about keeping players healthy.

Now that doesn't mean you can't do everything right and a player take a wrong step or fall and an injury can't happen. There are no absolutes with the human body and sports. Guys with the best pitching form can get Tommy John surgery...but just because its "happen stance" doesn't mean especially during a regular season game teams will throw a pitcher on 3 days rest or 120 pitches because there is science behind that much wear and tear.

Players are bigger and stronger and faster so you are going to have more injuries.

All I'm saying Thibs is a foundation builder. I appreciate his attention to detail and his win at all cost mode most of the time. He does get tend to get overwhelmed with the smaller picture like winning a game vs CHI in NOV and playing an injury prone player like OG 40 mins when that is a ridiculous decision with his history.

I dont' even get on him for Mikal because his body type and the way he plays is probably ok to give him extensive minutes but a choppy more start and stop player like OG...KAT those guys need more attention and he needs to be reigned in at times.

If you treat every injury as happen stance I don't think the medical staff or coaching staff are doing there jobs properly.

[Capn'O]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

I was going to make a similar post earlier. Without rim protection, he's able to bully in and has great vision from deep in the lane. KAT has unlocked Hart.

[Capn'O]

On another note, I'm watching the replay of last night

Man Jamal Crawford is REALLY good. Spot on analysis, and he makes great analogies too. If I'm NBC I'm calling his agent TODAY.

I'm a sucker for good color analysis. Clyde, Monica, and now J Crossover....this fanbase is really well served on the TV side.

Likewise, I didn't get to watch last night but I'm excited to hear him call games. Any time I've heard him on the major networks he's been excellent.

It's funny because at least on the court I thought of him as a bit of a ditz for the first part of his career because he tended to freelance a lot. He's really proven me wrong. He's one of those guys who probably would have benefit from coming up in this era where his skills would be assimilated into a great system. Imagine him on the Warriors.

Yeah in his early days he was kind of immature as a player, he tended to over dribble himself into trouble, but man. When he figured it out dude was pure filth.

I feel like we don't see as many guys coming into the league with that kind of handle anymore.

Outside of Kyrie who else is really super disgusting with it nowadays in terms of elite handles?

Didn't help coming up with the Baby Bulls and then our mess of a situation.

I forgot it was Mike Woodson coaching that Hawks team where he really found himself.

[Chanel Bomber]

Which one of those teams underachieved? He pretty much got the best out of those groups and they went as far as the roster was going to go. Bulls not being able to overcome Lebron and the Cheat isn’t on Thibs. Nobody in the East was getting passed them. The young pup Timberwolves being in the Western Conference and not ready to hang with the big boys of the West at that time wasn’t on Thibs. There are coaches who have gotten further than Thibs that I would never want coaching this team so this point is pretty weak imo

The Minny and Bulls teams might have won more if they weren't injured...we should have advanced past Indy last year if we weren't injured.

I know you don't want to shoulder any injury blame on thibs but it still seems to be a common theme with his teams. He does need to shoulder some of that blame.

This is scapegoating. No coach has been able to prevent injuries because they are simply part of the game

Not to sound all wise and chit but I think both are partly true.

I do think some injuries are simply basketball related. Were Derrick Rose's knees a ticking time bomb? I believe so. If it wasn't that game 1 against Philly, he would have blown out his knee another evening. Randle's injury last season was a classic basketball accident - one Thibs had no control over. And as you say, injuries are a part of the game, and a lot of championships are won because other teams suffered injuries.

But I think it's also fair to point out that Thibs can be unwise with his minutes. He brought back OG last year and had him play over 35 minutes in his second game back and 33 in his third game back - he missed the next 9 games because he wasn't ready. Mitch got hurt last year because he came back without having fully recovered from his initial injury. My point is, Thibs isn't maximizing his chances with the way he manages minutes, and has a tendency to put his team at risk of falling on the unluckier side of its destiny.

Just pulling the starters with 5 minutes left when they're up 30 and the other team has waved the white flag would already help us all breathe a bit more easy. Leaving them in the game in those situations is totally unnecessary and frankly quite absurd, yet he seems hellbent on proving some point that resonates with no one but him.

[MrDollarBills]

Likewise, I didn't get to watch last night but I'm excited to hear him call games. Any time I've heard him on the major networks he's been excellent.

It's funny because at least on the court I thought of him as a bit of a ditz for the first part of his career because he tended to freelance a lot. He's really proven me wrong. He's one of those guys who probably would have benefit from coming up in this era where his skills would be assimilated into a great system. Imagine him on the Warriors.

Yeah in his early days he was kind of immature as a player, he tended to over dribble himself into trouble, but man. When he figured it out dude was pure filth.

I feel like we don't see as many guys coming into the league with that kind of handle anymore.

Outside of Kyrie who else is really super disgusting with it nowadays in terms of elite handles?

Didn't help coming up with the Baby Bulls and then our mess of a situation.

I forgot it was Mike Woodson coaching that Hawks team where he really found himself.

Woodson was a good coach. Is he still coaching these days?

His goatee was impressive. I would kill for that kinda facial hair game

I remember that Bulls team, I thought they were gonna he world beaters because they had Crawford, Chandler, and Curry all out of college. Nope

[Guano]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

jHart not the unicorn we wanted but the unicorn we deserve - the weirdest player in the association

[Capn'O]

The Minny and Bulls teams might have won more if they weren't injured...we should have advanced past Indy last year if we weren't injured.

I know you don't want to shoulder any injury blame on thibs but it still seems to be a common theme with his teams. He does need to shoulder some of that blame.

This is scapegoating. No coach has been able to prevent injuries because they are simply part of the game

Not to sound all wise and chit but I think both are partly true.

I do think some injuries are simply basketball related. Were Derrick Rose's knees a ticking time bomb? I believe so. If it wasn't that game 1 against Philly, he would have blown out his knee another evening. Randle's injury last season was a classic basketball accident - one Thibs had no control over. And as you say, injuries are a part of the game, and a lot of championships are won because other teams suffered injuries.

But I think it's also fair to point out that Thibs can be unwise with his minutes. He brought back OG last year and had him play over 35 minutes in his second game back and 33 in his third game back - he missed the next 9 games because he wasn't ready. Mitch got hurt last year because he came back without having fully recovered from his initial injury. My point is, Thibs isn't maximizing his chances with the way he manages minutes, and has a tendency to put his team at risk of falling on the unluckier side of its destiny.

Just pulling the starters with 5 minutes left when they're up 30 and the other team has waved the white flag would already help us all breathe a bit more easy. Leaving them in the game in those situations is totally unnecessary and frankly quite absurd, yet he seems hellbent on proving some point that resonates with no one but him.

100% this.

Here's his thought process with 5 minutes left:

Tight game: Leave the starters in. Naturally.

Knicks up 20: Let me reward the starters by letting them reap the fruits of their spoils!

Knicks down 20: Such folly must be punished. You will stay in the game and grovel in the wrath of what you have sewn.

[JBreezeNY]

Just wanted to add to the lil convo going on about Kat’s impact real quick

Read on Twitter

Trickle down effect is leading to Josh Hart especially, excelling.

[Guano]

The Minny and Bulls teams might have won more if they weren't injured...we should have advanced past Indy last year if we weren't injured.

I know you don't want to shoulder any injury blame on thibs but it still seems to be a common theme with his teams. He does need to shoulder some of that blame.

This is scapegoating. No coach has been able to prevent injuries because they are simply part of the game

Not to sound all wise and chit but I think both are partly true.

I do think some injuries are simply basketball related. Were Derrick Rose's knees a ticking time bomb? I believe so. If it wasn't that game 1 against Philly, he would have blown out his knee another evening. Randle's injury last season was a classic basketball accident - one Thibs had no control over. And as you say, injuries are a part of the game, and a lot of championships are won because other teams suffered injuries.

But I think it's also fair to point out that Thibs can be unwise with his minutes. He brought back OG last year and had him play over 35 minutes in his second game back and 33 in his third game back - he missed the next 9 games because he wasn't ready. Mitch got hurt last year because he came back without having fully recovered from his initial injury. My point is, Thibs isn't maximizing his chances with the way he manages minutes, and has a tendency to put his team at risk of falling on the unluckier side of its destiny.

Just pulling the starters with 5 minutes left when they're up 30 and the other team has waved the white flag would already help us all breathe a bit more easy. Leaving them in the game in those situations is totally unnecessary and frankly quite absurd, yet he seems hellbent on proving some point that resonates with no one but him.

I appreciate your nuanced take. this is reasonable unlike our coach who is a maniac.

[Chanel Bomber]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

KAT makes everyone better on offense by just existing.

His individual stats are gaudy but they only begin to capture his offensive impact. He creates so much space for others, that they can all be a bit more efficient. And when he does get the ball, he's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.

His defense is mediocre and it's a weakness for the team. We already knew that. But the Knicks would be doing themselves a disservice by putting someone in the dunker spot just to get more rim protection on the other end.

The team's ceiling will be reached with KAT at the 5. The potential for elevating the team's offense is just too high not to explore its final form. The numbers could be historical. They already are, but there is still room for growth.

[JBreezeNY]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

KAT makes everyone better on offense by just existing.

His individual stats are gaudy but they only begin to capture his offensive impact. He creates so much space for others, that they can all be a bit more efficient. And when he does get the ball, he's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.

His defense is mediocre and it's a weakness for the team. We already knew that. But the Knicks would be doing themselves a disservice by putting someone in the dunker spot just to get more rim protection on the other end.

The team's ceiling will be reached with KAT at the 5. The potential for elevating the team's offense is just too high not to explore its final form. The numbers could be historical. They already are, but there is still room for growth.

I still say trade Mitch for a two way wing to even more open up the team. Idk if there are any even realistically available tho.

[mpharris36]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

I was going to make a similar post earlier. Without rim protection, he's able to bully in and has great vision from deep in the lane. KAT has unlocked Hart.

oh hi BAF team!

[Capn'O]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

I was going to make a similar post earlier. Without rim protection, he's able to bully in and has great vision from deep in the lane. KAT has unlocked Hart.

oh hi BAF team!

I probably should have just taken him

[ctorres]

We need to take advantage of this schedule. It could be what propels us to 1st seed in the East
We could catch up to the Celtics and Cavs if we take advantage

Read on Twitter

[mpharris36]

I was going to make a similar post earlier. Without rim protection, he's able to bully in and has great vision from deep in the lane. KAT has unlocked Hart.

oh hi BAF team!

I probably should have just taken him

He's probably going to be rough this season because his shooting was so bad the prior year but hopefully in this new role with KAT opening up the paint...his EFF has sky rocketed...could be a major problem next year in the SIM.

[KnixinSix]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

KAT makes everyone better on offense by just existing.

His individual stats are gaudy but they only begin to capture his offensive impact. He creates so much space for others, that they can all be a bit more efficient. And when he does get the ball, he's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.

His defense is mediocre and it's a weakness for the team. We already knew that. But the Knicks would be doing themselves a disservice by putting someone in the dunker spot just to get more rim protection on the other end.

The team's ceiling will be reached with KAT at the 5. The potential for elevating the team's offense is just too high not to explore its final form. The numbers could be historical. They already are, but there is still room for growth.

Right now when Sim is IN , KAT is usally OUT. It could be the same thing when Mitch/Achiuwa come back. Sims minutes probably go to 0. Mtich plays almost all minutes at 5 that KAT is not on the floor with Achiuwa getting a few there and at the 4. It can be mixed on more or less depending on the matchup.

[BKlutch]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

So you, um, don't have any nostalgia for RJ clogging the lane for us?

[Chanel Bomber]

Read on Twitter

This is the KAT impact, there's no center in the lane to stop him. They're also running PnR when Hart has a center on him so that the center gets caught on KAT any way and has to make a decision on getting back to guard the rim or letting the Big Purr shoot a three. Josh is having a career year because this is the first time he's ever played with a stretch 5.

KAT makes everyone better on offense by just existing.

His individual stats are gaudy but they only begin to capture his offensive impact. He creates so much space for others, that they can all be a bit more efficient. And when he does get the ball, he's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.

His defense is mediocre and it's a weakness for the team. We already knew that. But the Knicks would be doing themselves a disservice by putting someone in the dunker spot just to get more rim protection on the other end.

The team's ceiling will be reached with KAT at the 5. The potential for elevating the team's offense is just too high not to explore its final form. The numbers could be historical. They already are, but there is still room for growth.

I still say trade Mitch for a two way wing to even more open up the team. Idk if there are any even realistically available tho.

I'm torn on this because on the one hand I love Mitch and I think him backing up KAT happens to be a great way to manage his minutes (and his health). On the other hand, I think Precious may be a better fit than Mitch next to KAT for situations where the team needs more of a rim-protecting 5 (although I think Mitch is better in a vacuum).

Either way, having both feels redundant, and as you said the team could use another wing or another guard.

[BKlutch]

KAT makes everyone better on offense by just existing.

His individual stats are gaudy but they only begin to capture his offensive impact. He creates so much space for others, that they can all be a bit more efficient. And when he does get the ball, he's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.

His defense is mediocre and it's a weakness for the team. We already knew that. But the Knicks would be doing themselves a disservice by putting someone in the dunker spot just to get more rim protection on the other end.

The team's ceiling will be reached with KAT at the 5. The potential for elevating the team's offense is just too high not to explore its final form. The numbers could be historical. They already are, but there is still room for growth.

I still say trade Mitch for a two way wing to even more open up the team. Idk if there are any even realistically available tho.

I'm torn on this because on the one hand I love Mitch and I think him backing up KAT happens to be a great way to manage his minutes (and his health). On the other hand, I think Precious may be a better fit than Mitch next to KAT for situations where the team needs more of a rim-protecting 5 (although I think Mitch is better in a vacuum).

Either way, having both feels redundant, and as you said the team could use another wing or another guard.

I'm really not sure whether keeping Mitch or trading him is better for us, and it may come down to seeing how he plays with the team before a decision is made. But either way, it's so nice to be talking about improving around the edges while we have a very strong core in place. I can't remember this kind of situation before.