PG: KNICKS vs Wemby - The Mikal Christmas Show!!!

[NoDopeOnSundays]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

I'm not sure why you're so against using a wing on him, the guys who have defended him the most in the NBA are Brooks and Grant, both did a better job than KAT did. In his matchup yesterday only Alexander Sarr has given up more ppg than KAT in matchup minutes vs Victor. The absolute best way to defend him is with a wing/forward, while your center defends Sochan, the Thunder did it to him and he didn't even get a shot off against Jalen Williams in 21 possessions.


Are you implying that Grant and Brooks are better and more disciplined defenders than OG?

[vincccent]

where do you put steve kerr?

Fair question. More Pop though Charlie Brown's tree does get a makeover. You?

i don't know if it's a fair question. he played for both, but never coached under either. if i had to say who his coach persona reminds me more of, i'd go pop.

Isiah Thomas Tree:

[Capn'O]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

I'm not sure why you're so against using a wing on him, the guys who have defended him the most in the NBA are Brooks and Grant, both did a better job than KAT did. In his matchup yesterday only Alexander Sarr has given up more ppg than KAT in matchup minutes vs Victor. The absolute best way to defend him is with a wing/forward, while your center defends Sochan, the Thunder did it to him and he didn't even get a shot off against Jalen Williams in 21 possessions.


Are you implying that Grant and Brooks are better and more disciplined defenders than OG?

Right, because where Wemby hurts guys like KAT on the perimeter is with speed. OG can stay up in his grill and stop his dribble.

It's redux of Battier on Dirk until Dirk developed his post game.

[Iron Mantis]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

OG is taking the teams' toughest assignments on a nightly basis....and yet, How many times has OG fouled out this season and who was he guarding?

In fact how many times has OG even reached 5 fouls in his 30 games this season ? Please tell me.

By saying he and KAT will get the same results is basically implying that KAT and OG are equal defensively; They both will instantly foul out

Even if OG picks up his 5th foul with 6 minutes left in the 4th, what kind of impact would he have had on Wemby up until that moment? Would it not be worth it if Wemby only has 21 points, 6 or more turnovers, is frustrated and out of rhythm, KAT is still available to play, and the Knicks are up by 15 points??....

That's the OG effect....he's the best defender in the league he's rarely in foul trouble. He's averaging 2.5 fouls per game.

That is a better strategy than giving Wemby BBQ chicken, hanging KAT out to dry all game, and relying on a Mikal miracle to rescue us from a 5 point deficit with 6 minutes left.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

I'm not sure why you're so against using a wing on him, the guys who have defended him the most in the NBA are Brooks and Grant, both did a better job than KAT did. In his matchup yesterday only Alexander Sarr has given up more ppg than KAT in matchup minutes vs Victor. The absolute best way to defend him is with a wing/forward, while your center defends Sochan, the Thunder did it to him and he didn't even get a shot off against Jalen Williams in 21 possessions.


Are you implying that Grant and Brooks are better and more disciplined defenders than OG?

Right, because where Wemby hurts guys like KAT on the perimeter is with speed. OG can stay up in his grill and stop his dribble.

It's redux of Battier on Dirk until Dirk developed his post game.

He lit us up last year too

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Centers cannot guard him effectively.

[stuporman]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

I'm not sure why you're so against using a wing on him, the guys who have defended him the most in the NBA are Brooks and Grant, both did a better job than KAT did. In his matchup yesterday only Alexander Sarr has given up more ppg than KAT in matchup minutes vs Victor. The absolute best way to defend him is with a wing/forward, while your center defends Sochan, the Thunder did it to him and he didn't even get a shot off against Jalen Williams in 21 possessions.


Are you implying that Grant and Brooks are better and more disciplined defenders than OG?

I'm not against having a wing defend him but what Thibs did in waiting until late to make the switch and catch Wemby off guard is what helped win the game. Good game plan.

So you're comparing what a historic level defense and really the top two defenses in the league were able to do in contrast to the Knicks middle of the pack defense? Weird but ok.

Why are you using the Trailblazers as an example, they've lost to the Spurs 3 times already this season. I like my teams to win against them, not hyper fixated on the statlines of some players.

Wemby could have scored 75 points and as long as the Knicks win idgaf about that.

[Fat Kat]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

OG is taking the teams' toughest assignments on a nightly basis....and yet, How many times has OG fouled out this season and who was he guarding?

In fact how many times has OG even reached 5 fouls in his 30 games this season ? Please tell me.

By saying he and KAT will get the same results is basically implying that KAT and OG are equal defensively; They both will instantly foul out

Even if OG picks up his 5th foul with 6 minutes left in the 4th, what kind of impact would he have had on Wemby up until that moment? Would it not be worth it if Wemby only has 21 points, 6 or more turnovers, is frustrated and out of rhythm, KAT is still available to play, and the Knicks are up by 15 points??....

That's the OG effect....he's the best defender in the league he's rarely in foul trouble. He's averaging 2.5 fouls per game.

That is a better strategy than giving Wemby BBQ chicken, hanging KAT out to dry all game, and relying on a Mikal miracle to rescue us from a 5 point deficit with 6 minutes left.

Agreed. This a breakdown on how Dillon Brooks slowed him down

Watch on YouTube

[RHODEY]

Al this talk about defending this 7'5" Phenon who has the nba and refs in his back pocket....seems like a losing battle either way to me. If we just shoot what we normally do from 3 we blow that team out of the water...so I think Thibs should focus on that.

[spree2kawhi]

Al this talk about defending this 7'5" Phenon who has the nba and refs in his back pocket....seems like a losing battle either way to me. If we just shoot what we normally do from 3 we blow that team out of the water...so I think Thibs should focus on that.

Just don’t get too used to this type of overall efficiency. I think that’s unfair.

[RHODEY]

Al this talk about defending this 7'5" Phenon who has the nba and refs in his back pocket....seems like a losing battle either way to me. If we just shoot what we normally do from 3 we blow that team out of the water...so I think Thibs should focus on that.

Just don’t get too used to this type of overall efficiency. I think that’s unfair.

Im not used to it....I actually think it's going to get better.

[Iron Mantis]

If Thibs starts OG on Wemby from opening tip like some people think he should have, refs do their typical thing and so OG is sitting with 5 fouls in the 4th as Wemby has free reign to take over the game and win it as fans on this forum criticize Thibs for his game plan. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, I like to laugh.

OG is taking the teams' toughest assignments on a nightly basis....and yet, How many times has OG fouled out this season and who was he guarding?

In fact how many times has OG even reached 5 fouls in his 30 games this season ? Please tell me.

By saying he and KAT will get the same results is basically implying that KAT and OG are equal defensively; They both will instantly foul out

Even if OG picks up his 5th foul with 6 minutes left in the 4th, what kind of impact would he have had on Wemby up until that moment? Would it not be worth it if Wemby only has 21 points, 6 or more turnovers, is frustrated and out of rhythm, KAT is still available to play, and the Knicks are up by 15 points??....

That's the OG effect....he's the best defender in the league he's rarely in foul trouble. He's averaging 2.5 fouls per game.

That is a better strategy than giving Wemby BBQ chicken, hanging KAT out to dry all game, and relying on a Mikal miracle to rescue us from a 5 point deficit with 6 minutes left.

Agreed. This a breakdown on how Dillon Brooks slowed him down

Watch on YouTube

Exactly!! Need a defender who can get up in Wemby's grill on the perimeter but has the speed to not get blown by and the strength make him feel uncomfortable. And if this defender is long and has quick hands, you're in an even better spot. Basically a defender like OG.....not KAT.

And Lets just keep it buck here. Towns commits stupid fouls. OG does not.

KAT guarded Wemby pretty much all game and had 5 fouls.

Folks want you to believe KAT fouled Wemby 5 times ...but that's not reality.

Here's who KAT fouled on his 5 personal fouls

1. Wemby
2. Castle
3. Wemby
4. Vassell
5. Paul


He fouled Wemby a whopping 2 times...

There's no question in my mind OG would have had success guarding Wemby for most of the game and slowing him down. Saying he would have had the same results as KAT is arguing in bad faith.

[HEZI]

KATs struggles guarding the perimeter was the exact reason why I was never supportive of a switch defense with him in it. If he can’t guard Wemby, he certainly has no business guarding guys like Trae Young and Cade Cunningham and trying to stay in front of them. Way more elite perimeter guards than elite perimeter centers in the league

[Spree2Houston]

The game plan was simple. Let Wemby try to beat us on his own and shut everyone else down. Problem is Wemby damn near beat us by himself so we put OG on him in the 4th

[Iron Mantis]

Al this talk about defending this 7'5" Phenon who has the nba and refs in his back pocket....seems like a losing battle either way to me. If we just shoot what we normally do from 3 we blow that team out of the water...so I think Thibs should focus on that.

Wemby isn't averaging 41PPG, so he can be kept reasonably in check.

Either way, It's more about discussing strategy and the approach to defense based on the team's personnel.

We have our eyes on a championship this year, and in the playoffs you can't just out-talent teams. We need to see championship-level coaching. Strategizing, seizing advantages, forcing teams to adjust, and quickly making adjustments is the name of the game.

[Fat Kat]

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[MrDollarBills]

Not even gonna lie I had the biggest smile on my face watching Mikal go off like that. I was scared for a moment during his early struggles, but I kept thinking that he's too young to fall off like that and he would regress to the mean.

He's officially back to normal, and honestly this is his best form where he's defending hard and being used as the 3rd scorer that can step up for big scoring nights every now and then.

I'm happy as hell right now. Can't wait for the next game.

Brunson/KAT/Mikal/OG is the best core in the league. This can be long term sustained success if things fall the right way.

[rajajackal]

hope everybody had a merry christmas. we having mikal jordan conversations yet?

[ctorres]

hope everybody had a merry christmas. we having mikal jordan conversations yet?

Waiting until he has two 50+ point games like Allan Houston did in '03!

[RHODEY]

Al this talk about defending this 7'5" Phenon who has the nba and refs in his back pocket....seems like a losing battle either way to me. If we just shoot what we normally do from 3 we blow that team out of the water...so I think Thibs should focus on that.

Wemby isn't averaging 41PPG, so he can be kept reasonably in check.

Either way, It's more about discussing strategy and the approach to defense based on the team's personnel.

We have our eyes on a championship this year, and in the playoffs you can't just out-talent teams. We need to see championship-level coaching. Strategizing, seizing advantages, forcing teams to adjust, and quickly making adjustments is the name of the game.

True but the reality is...we are in the arm chair position and we are stuck with Thibs. I hope/trust he'll adapt accordingly in the playoffs.

[j4remi]

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