are the Knicks LEGIT contenders?!

[JujitsuFlip]

Haven’t caught the second half meltdown yet, but I’m both encouraged last night by our ability to build a double digit 4th quarter lead…and disappointed that, just like against Cleveland, we ran out of steam and didn’t have the defense in the 4th to hold on.

A healthy McBride and Robinson would likely have helped a lot, whether just by keeping our starters fresher down the stretch, or by helping our defense in those closing minutes.

But I do worry that without another move and/or a great buyout pickup, we’re too reliant on being healthy as an injury to our top 7 could just be too much for Achiuwa / Payne / Shamet to fill.

Under the new CBA... "Any team above the first luxury tax apron cannot sign a player who has been bought out during the season unless that player's former salary was below the non-taxpayer mid-level exception".

[cgf]

Haven’t caught the second half meltdown yet, but I’m both encouraged last night by our ability to build a double digit 4th quarter lead…and disappointed that, just like against Cleveland, we ran out of steam and didn’t have the defense in the 4th to hold on.

A healthy McBride and Robinson would likely have helped a lot, whether just by keeping our starters fresher down the stretch, or by helping our defense in those closing minutes.

But I do worry that without another move and/or a great buyout pickup, we’re too reliant on being healthy as an injury to our top 7 could just be too much for Achiuwa / Payne / Shamet to fill.

Under the new CBA... "Any team above the first luxury tax apron cannot sign a player who has been bought out during the season unless that player's former salary was below the non-taxpayer mid-level exception".

Yeah, that's a smidge over 12.8M. Which does limit who we could get, but we're talking about improving the 10th/11th guys on the roster so that when a couple of injuries hit the rotation Thibs doesn't need to play the starters >40 minutes. Not finding a new 6th man to bolster the regular rotation.

If we had Mitch & Deuce last night, that probably would've been enough to keep the starters from gassing and our defense falling apart down the stretch. But we didn't, and we didn't have anybody who could step in to fill those minutes temporarily.

That's why I'm going to keep praying we can get Kessler for Dadiet + WSH FRP + Sims + SRPs/swap, or that Mitch stays healthy once he gets into game shape, and that our FO can find the kind of defensive wing Thibs would give minutes when injuries forced him into action.

...someone like Chuma Okeke if he keeps shooting 38% from 3 in the GL, or Torrey Craig if Chicago lets him go.

[RHODEY]

Starting to look very formidable

Indeed!

[cgf]

Starting to look very formidable

Indeed!

Really curious to see how this team looks once Mitch is back.

[JujitsuFlip]

Starting to look very formidable

Indeed!

Really curious to see how this team looks once Mitch is back.

If he ever gets back lol we've been hearing for 4 months that all they need is for him to return and then his return gets pushed back further.

[cgf]

Indeed!

Really curious to see how this team looks once Mitch is back.

If he ever gets back lol we've been hearing for 4 months that all they need is for him to return and then his return gets pushed back further.

True enough. But if our FO wasn't confident he'd return, they should've traded him for someone who will play this year. So with the deadline this close and them still focused on getting him back on the court, I'm optimistic that they're just playing it safe and this won't be another Randle situation.

But yeah, if he doesn't get healthy that's a big loss for us. Having that rim protection for Thibs to throw out there when we're getting scorched in the paint, will be huge.

[JujitsuFlip]

Really curious to see how this team looks once Mitch is back.

If he ever gets back lol we've been hearing for 4 months that all they need is for him to return and then his return gets pushed back further.

True enough. But if our FO wasn't confident he'd return, they should've traded him for someone who will play this year. So with the deadline this close and them still focused on getting him back on the court, I'm optimistic that they're just playing it safe and this won't be another Randle situation.

But yeah, if he doesn't get healthy that's a big loss for us. Having that rim protection for Thibs to throw out there when we're getting scorched in the paint, will be huge.

There's still a week left, he may be shipped out lol

If not McGee or Biyombo are out the for the prorated vet min on the last day of the regular season, only cost a couple thousand.

[cgf]

If he ever gets back lol we've been hearing for 4 months that all they need is for him to return and then his return gets pushed back further.

True enough. But if our FO wasn't confident he'd return, they should've traded him for someone who will play this year. So with the deadline this close and them still focused on getting him back on the court, I'm optimistic that they're just playing it safe and this won't be another Randle situation.

But yeah, if he doesn't get healthy that's a big loss for us. Having that rim protection for Thibs to throw out there when we're getting scorched in the paint, will be huge.

There's still a week left, he may be shipped out lol

If not McGee or Biyombo are out the for the prorated vet min on the last day of the regular season, only cost a couple thousand.

True enough. But the buzz from knickland is about the impact he’ll make whenever he’s back, not about getting a body in asap. Which makes me think that atm they’re not planning to move him…which could still change.

Eh, what’s the point? We have Sims and Hukporti, they can provide us mediocre to adequate rim protection with the hope of getting better.

But Mitch isn’t just adequate, he’s an elite defensive anchor and offensive rebounder, who sets heavy screens, and is a very good finisher around the rim. If not for his health he’d have every reason to demand double what he’s making, and be worth it.

I’m more interested in getting a depth wing like Okeke or Tate…if Houston trades him to a team that’ll buy him out…in a couple weeks, when we can afford another vet min.

[JujitsuFlip]

True enough. But if our FO wasn't confident he'd return, they should've traded him for someone who will play this year. So with the deadline this close and them still focused on getting him back on the court, I'm optimistic that they're just playing it safe and this won't be another Randle situation.

But yeah, if he doesn't get healthy that's a big loss for us. Having that rim protection for Thibs to throw out there when we're getting scorched in the paint, will be huge.

There's still a week left, he may be shipped out lol

If not McGee or Biyombo are out the for the prorated vet min on the last day of the regular season, only cost a couple thousand.

True enough. But the buzz from knickland is about the impact he’ll make whenever he’s back, not about getting a body in asap. Which makes me think that atm they’re not planning to move him…which could still change.

Eh, what’s the point? We have Sims and Hukporti, they can provide us mediocre to adequate rim protection with the hope of getting better.

But Mitch isn’t just adequate, he’s an elite defensive anchor and offensive rebounder, who sets heavy screens, and is a very good finisher around the rim. If not for his health he’d have every reason to demand double what he’s making, and be worth it.

I’m more interested in getting a depth wing like Okeke or Tate…if Houston trades him to a team that’ll buy him out…in a couple weeks, when we can afford another vet min.

You'll get TJ Warren, and you'll like it! lol

[drekwins]

One main thing holding the Knicks back is their ability to defend the 3pt line. They give up the highest 3PT percentage of any team in the league. It is a major issue that must be drastically improved if they want to compete.

They are still behind OKC (by a lot) and Boston. If they improve their 3PT defense, they can beat Cleveland.

[cgf]

There's still a week left, he may be shipped out lol

If not McGee or Biyombo are out the for the prorated vet min on the last day of the regular season, only cost a couple thousand.

True enough. But the buzz from knickland is about the impact he’ll make whenever he’s back, not about getting a body in asap. Which makes me think that atm they’re not planning to move him…which could still change.

Eh, what’s the point? We have Sims and Hukporti, they can provide us mediocre to adequate rim protection with the hope of getting better.

But Mitch isn’t just adequate, he’s an elite defensive anchor and offensive rebounder, who sets heavy screens, and is a very good finisher around the rim. If not for his health he’d have every reason to demand double what he’s making, and be worth it.

I’m more interested in getting a depth wing like Okeke or Tate…if Houston trades him to a team that’ll buy him out…in a couple weeks, when we can afford another vet min.

You'll get TJ Warren, and you'll like it! lol

That would certainly be one way to teach the Knicks fans who are desperate for a bench wing who can score, a lesson

I think we'll sign both Okeke & Warren...but I'm gunna keep hoping for Tate.

[JujitsuFlip]

True enough. But the buzz from knickland is about the impact he’ll make whenever he’s back, not about getting a body in asap. Which makes me think that atm they’re not planning to move him…which could still change.

Eh, what’s the point? We have Sims and Hukporti, they can provide us mediocre to adequate rim protection with the hope of getting better.

But Mitch isn’t just adequate, he’s an elite defensive anchor and offensive rebounder, who sets heavy screens, and is a very good finisher around the rim. If not for his health he’d have every reason to demand double what he’s making, and be worth it.

I’m more interested in getting a depth wing like Okeke or Tate…if Houston trades him to a team that’ll buy him out…in a couple weeks, when we can afford another vet min.

You'll get TJ Warren, and you'll like it! lol

That would certainly be one way to teach the Knicks fans who are desperate for a bench wing who can score, a lesson

I think we'll sign both Okeke & Warren...but I'm gunna keep hoping for Tate.

Aren't you all at 14 standard contracts currently? Or you think they trade dump someone next week to clear a roster spot?

[cgf]

You'll get TJ Warren, and you'll like it! lol

That would certainly be one way to teach the Knicks fans who are desperate for a bench wing who can score, a lesson

I think we'll sign both Okeke & Warren...but I'm gunna keep hoping for Tate.

Aren't you all at 14 standard contracts currently? Or you think they trade dump someone next week to clear a roster spot?

You're right, I totally forgot that we converted Hukporti from a two-way deal. Guess if we're not going to make any trades that open a roster spot it will be just one of them.

Part of me does still think that we drafted Dadiet to be trade bait, so I won't be surprised if we do open a roster spot for each of them...but I'm not sure what Dadiet + Sims/Payne/Achiuwa/McBride + WSH FRP trade would meaningfully help us; at least now that Kessler looks unlikely to be sold.

[cgf]

One main thing holding the Knicks back is their ability to defend the 3pt line. They give up the highest 3PT percentage of any team in the league. It is a major issue that must be drastically improved if they want to compete.

They are still behind OKC (by a lot) and Boston. If they improve their 3PT defense, they can beat Cleveland.

I hate pointing to Mitch as an answer to everything, but some of this is guys cheating in to help in the paint because our rim protection has been so iffy. With Mitch out there, the perimeter guys could stick a lot tighter to their guys without the other team just having a lay-up line past Karl.

I suspect our 3pt defense is better when Achiuwa is on the court for similar reasons.

[JujitsuFlip]

That would certainly be one way to teach the Knicks fans who are desperate for a bench wing who can score, a lesson

I think we'll sign both Okeke & Warren...but I'm gunna keep hoping for Tate.

Aren't you all at 14 standard contracts currently? Or you think they trade dump someone next week to clear a roster spot?

You're right, I totally forgot that we converted Hukporti from a two-way deal. Guess if we're not going to make any trades that open a roster spot it will be just one of them.

Part of me does still think that we drafted Dadiet to be trade bait, so I won't be surprised if we do open a roster spot for each of them...but I'm not sure what Dadiet + Sims/Payne + WSH FRP trade would meaningfully help us; at least now that Kessler looks unlikely to be sold.

Something better than Bogdanovic last season, poor guy got hurt.

Well, if you don't want McGee or Biyombo then hopefully the Cavs take a flyer on one, because Tristan Kardashian is our only back-up big lol

[cgf]

Aren't you all at 14 standard contracts currently? Or you think they trade dump someone next week to clear a roster spot?

You're right, I totally forgot that we converted Hukporti from a two-way deal. Guess if we're not going to make any trades that open a roster spot it will be just one of them.

Part of me does still think that we drafted Dadiet to be trade bait, so I won't be surprised if we do open a roster spot for each of them...but I'm not sure what Dadiet + Sims/Payne + WSH FRP trade would meaningfully help us; at least now that Kessler looks unlikely to be sold.

Something better than Bogdanovic last season, poor guy got hurt.

Well, if you don't want McGee or Biyombo then hopefully the Cavs take a flyer on one, because Tristan Kardashian is our only back-up big lol

lol is he any worse than they are at this point?

And Bogdanovic was just dumb from the get go. I was saying from day 1 that Alec Burks would make more of an impact for us than Bojan, and unfortunately I ended up being right even before Bogey got hurt. Bogdan & Caruso would've been awesome though.

[Johnny Firpo]

I think they are dark horse contenders. With Hartenstein. I would probably put them in the Celtics, OKC (maybe Cavs?) tier, without Hartenstein, they are in the Mavs, Wolves, Nuggets mix roughly. Or I guess maybe you can put Denver a tier below, maybe the Wolves too? I think my Mavs have proved that when healthy, they are a complete roster, although they are very rarely healthy this year. OKC and Celtics I would still probably put in a different tier than anyone else.

Tier 1- Celtics, OKC, the favorites.
Tier 2 - Cavs, the Nr. 1 contender of the true contenders
Tier 3 - Mavs, Knicks
Tier 4 - Wolves, Nuggets, Bucks, Rockets, Grizzlies (wow, so many good West teams)
Tier 5 - Pacers, Sixers (Sixers would be higher if Embiid was healthy)

Something like this, maybe? And I understand if a Rockets or Grizz fan wants to put them in Tier 3, totally understand, but... I don't know, the west is just crazy.

[JujitsuFlip]

You're right, I totally forgot that we converted Hukporti from a two-way deal. Guess if we're not going to make any trades that open a roster spot it will be just one of them.

Part of me does still think that we drafted Dadiet to be trade bait, so I won't be surprised if we do open a roster spot for each of them...but I'm not sure what Dadiet + Sims/Payne + WSH FRP trade would meaningfully help us; at least now that Kessler looks unlikely to be sold.

Something better than Bogdanovic last season, poor guy got hurt.

Well, if you don't want McGee or Biyombo then hopefully the Cavs take a flyer on one, because Tristan Kardashian is our only back-up big lol

lol is he any worse than they are at this point?

And Bogdanovic was just dumb from the get go. I was saying from day 1 that Alec Burks would make more of an impact for us than Bojan, and unfortunately I ended up being right even before Bogey got hurt. Bogdan & Caruso would've been awesome though.

Hard to say, since he's off the steroids now lol

Idk if the Heat even really play Burks so you all can probably acquire him again at this deadline.

[cgf]

Something better than Bogdanovic last season, poor guy got hurt.

Well, if you don't want McGee or Biyombo then hopefully the Cavs take a flyer on one, because Tristan Kardashian is our only back-up big lol

lol is he any worse than they are at this point?

And Bogdanovic was just dumb from the get go. I was saying from day 1 that Alec Burks would make more of an impact for us than Bojan, and unfortunately I ended up being right even before Bogey got hurt. Bogdan & Caruso would've been awesome though.

Hard to say, since he's off the steroids now lol

Idk if the Heat even really play Burks so you all can probably acquire him again at this deadline.

lol that probably doesn't help.

We could do worse, but with Deuce, Payne, Shamet, & Kolek, guard creation isn't as big of a need for our bench as another wing defender who can hit some shots...which is why I keep brining up Okeke, unless someone better gets bought out.

[Jose7]

funny no one on GB knows ball