PG: OG Kawhinoby

[BKlutch]

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The FG% from both will make you shed a tear.

80% FG from Towns ...did I read that correctly?

Yes and Hart didn't miss.

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FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: When Hart sucks next preseason, nobody on this board is allowed to freak out and say he's washed. This is just how he does it.

[stuporman]

We see brilliant performances like tonight and say to ourselves this is it, the team has come together and is ready to make a run but then end up with nights like Utah. IMO we won't make a significant run until we get Precious and Mitch back. Our defense right now is horrible most nights and if we aren't shooting and passing lights out its a toss up against good teams.

Does 5 wins out of the last 6 games count as a run? Asking for a friend

[Context]

Oooooohhhhhh yea, MB turned down the extension and is playing for his new contract trying to show what his real value is...whoops, he better rush to the table and take it now.

that made me laugh...

[Context]

We see brilliant performances like tonight and say to ourselves this is it, the team has come together and is ready to make a run but then end up with nights like Utah. IMO we won't make a significant run until we get Precious and Mitch back. Our defense right now is horrible most nights and if we aren't shooting and passing lights out its a toss up against good teams.

Thats because some posters refuse to except the FACT that this team still needs to develop their chemistry. Utah's Lauri, Kessler and Collins was a different look for our new team. Again, talk to me when we are 25 games in and/when Mitch/Precious comes back.

[BKlutch]

I’m so confused by this team….
Jekyll and Hyde

Jumpshooting team with suspect defence. The 4th quarter was also Knicks starters versus Denver bench. Sp Thibs ran it up a lot.

But yes when the Knicks are shooting well the team looks brilliant. They cut and pass more.

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I'd think, "Why did he risk the starters?" but they less able to practice on the road and they treated the 4th quarter as extended practice of some very excellent plays.

[Guano]

Having so much talent that a guy we traded 5 picks for forgetting how to shoot not nuke our season is amazing.

Mikal has time to work his sht out. We are going to be alright.

[Moose]

1. Frozen...I still know this team isnt a finished product because of the missing players and the completion of what their chemistry will be. LOOK OUT when that happens!
2. I'm not surprised. I saw OG do this in the play-offs against Indy when Brunson left for the 1st half in game 2.
3. Brunson was 5th in MVP voting last year.
4. Chemistry adjustments...great things take time...In Mikal's case he's still in the adjustment period...
5. I saw that last year in the play-offs when Kat and the Wolves beat Denver. Thats when I knew Kat grew...

I'm not sure it's this simple for Bridges.

We know he changed his form.

And his defense hasn't been good.

We really need him to not suck if we are going to reach our ceiling.

Mikal has the ability to drop 45...He's essentially playing with the most dynamic group he's ever played with. He will find his
lane and he's been shooting all his life. He's probably shot a couple of Million shots-lifetime-- literally
He'll be fine...you'll see...just enjoy the ride while they fine tune this "new" engine Moose

You're right, we all should be enjoying the ride. I look forward to see how this team is playing in March.

In the meantime, I will try to be more zen.

[sol537]

Mikal will be fine and he’ll take his new extension next season so we’ll have him a good 4-5 seasons. Have patience.

[stuporman]

Phones give you 10 different numbers to have for speed dial contacts and Thibs has never used more than 7 in his life...

[HEZI]

Mikal will be fine and he’ll take his new extension next season so we’ll have him a good 4-5 seasons. Have patience.

Well he better invest some of that extension money into hiring a new shooting coach

[mpharris36]

Mikal defense is looking better which is a positive. Just need the 3 ball to come along I think it will get better.

Matchups:

Murray 7:48 mins - 3 for 6 - 6pts
MPJ 1:13 mins - 0 for 4 - 0pts
Braun 1:08 mins - 1 for 2 - 2 pts
Jokic 0:53 mins - 0 for 2 - 0 pts

DEN was 4-14 on him manly playing important POA defense so OG and Hart can hound and get in passing lanes off ball.

That is very valuable.

[stuporman]

Mikal will be fine and he’ll take his new extension next season so we’ll have him a mid 4-5 seasons. Have patience.

fify

[F N 11]

I’m not turning on Mikal. He’s getting in the flow shots. He usually drains them.

[BKlutch]

Now I’m even more confused, OG put mad chapstick on his lips in that post game interview
What’s going on in that locker room

that denver air will have you crusty

Never knew I needed to lotion my hands before a few day trip in Phx. Learned for my trip to Denver so I didn't end up with dried up cuticles that cracked.

When I was a little kid, there was some ad on TV that said, "It's like sending your sinuses to Arizona." I forgot what the product was, but they were implying that the dry air there in Phx was so good for you. Of course, I had no idea at that time if it was true, or what sinuses even were.

[TKKnicks1]

Maybe Mikal needs to take some pointers from our old friend Elfrid.

14 points
21 assists
7 rebounds

What the hell Elfrid? Where was this ish when you were on the Knicks?!

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Mikal defense is looking better which is a positive. Just need the 3 ball to come along I think it will get better.

Matchups:

Murray 7:48 mins - 3 for 6 - 6pts
MPJ 1:13 mins - 0 for 4 - 0pts
Braun 1:08 mins - 1 for 2 - 2 pts
Jokic 0:53 mins - 0 for 2 - 0 pts

DEN was 4-14 on him manly playing important POA defense so OG and Hart can hound and get in passing lanes off ball.

That is very valuable.

I don't think Mikal can defend small guards, his POA defense is not good but I guess that's what Deuce is for.

[BKlutch]

I was so impressed by Brunson's 17 assists I mistakenly told a friend, "It's the most ever."

It's really not. Jalen is tied with Julius Randle and 12 others for 12th most assists on the Knicks.

Spoiler:

Chris Duhon 22
Richie Guerin 21
Marbury 19
Mark Jackson 19
Micheal Ray Richards 19
Richie Guerin 19
Mark Jackson 18
Mark Jackson 18 again
Ray williams 18
Michael Ray 2 games of 18
Jalen Brunson 17
Julius Randle 17
and Felton, Marbury, Jackson, Ward, and Mark Jackson 8 more games

Including playoff games, Clyde had 36 points and 19 assists in the game incorrectly called the "Willis Reed" game 7.

[Capn'O]

Josh Hart is now shooting over 60% from the floor....60% for a 6'4 player is beyond ridiculous.

Then factor in he's nearly at 9 rebounds per game.

We got this man for Cam freakin Reddish!

That trade was so bad for the Blazers it made Dame leave.

[mpharris36]

Mikal defense is looking better which is a positive. Just need the 3 ball to come along I think it will get better.

Matchups:

Murray 7:48 mins - 3 for 6 - 6pts
MPJ 1:13 mins - 0 for 4 - 0pts
Braun 1:08 mins - 1 for 2 - 2 pts
Jokic 0:53 mins - 0 for 2 - 0 pts

DEN was 4-14 on him manly playing important POA defense so OG and Hart can hound and get in passing lanes off ball.

That is very valuable.

I don't think Mikal can defend small guards, his POA defense is not good but I guess that's what Deuce is for.

shifty guards do give him some trouble especially early in the season when I don't think anyone knew where they needed to be defensively.

Garland smoked him (but he's been smoking a lot of players this year)
FVV killed him (but he has those games one in a while and then goes back to missing a ton of shots)
Tatum also killed him (but that should have been OG's matchup)

But he has defended Haliburton well, Murray well, Cam Thomas well, Coby White well, and even guarded Trae Young well. He also doesn't foul much which is good as well.

I think outside of a few clunkers early in the season his defense has been a positive.

Remember Garland and Tatum were like 10 for 10 off of him in the first 2 games. If you take away those numbers I think players are shooting 90 for 219 on him...that is 41% from the floor which is very good to hold our opp's to.

[SelbyCobra]

I'm one of the more vocal Thibs doubters, and just like the Phoenix game, last night's performance does nothing to address my concerns with him at the helm. I've said from the beginning of the season, even through those opening few games that the Knicks are an elite contender this year, no doubt.

This roster can win a championship with Thibs as the head coach. It's that talented, and Thibs has enough positive impact with his attention to detail and general schemes. The problems those of us who are not sold on him being the best option have are his flaws. They did not appear or get exploited last night, and the supreme talent and harmony of the way this roster fits has the chance to keep them covered more often than not.

Nights like Phoenix and last night where they go out and shoot 50/60/90 as a team (absolutely unreal to watch) do not address the main concerns about Thibs as a coach. He has a specific way he puts this roster in position to shine, and the massive scoring talent that Leon has assembled shined extra bright. The concern is what happens when the shots aren't falling for the Knicks, or ARE falling for the opposition, and Thibs' specific ways aren't working, or even worse, are getting actively attacked and exploited.

This team as constructed is a multi-faceted championship-caliber roster that has the ability to beat you in a multitude of ways. I don't believe Thibs is similarly dynamic as a coach.