PG: KNICKS Maul The Grizzly Bears!!!

[Clyde_Style]

It’s a 1 minute difference and we won by almost 40

You said they played their season’s average, they didn’t

Even the starters minutes showed a significant decrease. The average minutes per game for the starters on the year according to stat muse is:
KAT - 34.9
OG - 36.7
Hart - 37.9
Brunson - 35.5
Mikal - 38.5

Tonight the starters played minute wise
KAT - 33
OG - 34
Hart - 27
Brunson - 25
Mikal - 34

These 2-4 minute decreases for KAT, OG and Mikal seem small to you, but had they averaged just two less minutes per game this season each, this would equate to 1600 total minutes over the course of the season total for all 3 of them. Guess how many games extra that is? 533 extra minutes saved per player, meaning roughly 16 more games if each player plays 33 minutes per game. What’s 16 more games??? THE PLAYOFFS. THESE SMALL MINUTE INCREMENTS MATTER BY PLAYING THE BENCH

Now let me not get started on Brunson and hart, they were able to SIGNIFICANTLY decrease their minutes tonight. The point is 2-4 minute increase in each bench players’ time actually matters in the long run.

I can’t break it down any better than I just did.

Brunson's minutes only limited because the refs put him in foul trouble
Harts only limited because he was hurt coming into the game.
Thibs will go back to same minutes next game

you a thibstigator or sumthin?

[kNicksGmen]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

at least there are a couple 2+ day breaks mixed in there. 2 days off leading into lakers on Sat. After B2B they have 3 days off before facing Boston on 2/8 then another 2 days off before the B2B against IND/ATL.

Weird schedule I guess when there are three instances of 2+ days off mixed in with two B2Bs... it does seem like the team was getting worn down and is looking rejuvenated after that previous 3 days rest.

[thebuzzardman]

Did that count as a quality win against a quality opponent?

I'm sure some people will explain why it wasn't.

You're being too positive about this team and it is beginning to worry me.

I need to tone it down. Bad things happen when I get enthusiastic.

[thebuzzardman]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

at least there are a couple 2+ day breaks mixed in there. 2 days off leading into lakers on Sat. After B2B they have 3 days off before facing Boston on 2/8 then another 2 days off before the B2B against IND/ATL.

Weird schedule I guess when there are two instances of 2+ days off mixed in with two B2Bs... it does seem like the team was getting worn down and is looking rejuvenated after that previous 3 days rest.

Maybe LeBron was on to something suggesting a reduction in games, where there would be more quality basketball.

[Clyde_Style]

Did that count as a quality win against a quality opponent?

I'm sure some people will explain why it wasn't.

You're being too positive about this team and it is beginning to worry me.

I need to tone it down. Bad things happen when I get enthusiastic.

[KnixinSix]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

at least there are a couple 2+ day breaks mixed in there. 2 days off leading into lakers on Sat. After B2B they have 3 days off before facing Boston on 2/8 then another 2 days off before the B2B against IND/ATL.

Weird schedule I guess when there are two instances of 2+ days off mixed in with two B2Bs... it does seem like the team was getting worn down and is looking rejuvenated after that previous 3 days rest.

100% and Thibs more judicious rotation is helping a lot too

[rajajackal]

that was a truly invigorating win

[kNicksGmen]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

at least there are a couple 2+ day breaks mixed in there. 2 days off leading into lakers on Sat. After B2B they have 3 days off before facing Boston on 2/8 then another 2 days off before the B2B against IND/ATL.

Weird schedule I guess when there are two instances of 2+ days off mixed in with two B2Bs... it does seem like the team was getting worn down and is looking rejuvenated after that previous 3 days rest.

100% and Thibs more judicious rotation is helping a lot too

true and then if the team plays well enough to blow teams out - that gets them extra rest in the 4th too. so it's all a compounding effect. playing well enough early on to build leads allows thibs to feel more comfortable playing the bench more too. bench gets more rhythm/confidence. it's all related.

[jvsimonetti0514]

I think the bench is middling, but a middle of the pack bench should enable Thibs to rest the starters like wound up happening the last few games.

Mainly the bench has some height issues, but it's what it is.

Payne
Deuce
Precious
Shamet is a solid enough 4 man bench.

Thibs is never going 10 deep, so if/when Mitch comes back, maybe there's a world where Shamet sits, Towns & Hart minutes drop a little, and Mitch gets his 18-20 that way.

And Mitch's first 5 games back, he's probably not exceeding 10 mpg, then ramping up to 15, then to 18-20

So, if the goal is to play the starters 34 mpg, that's 70 minutes split between 4 bench players.

They should probably go 18/18/14/14. Some bench player someone likes, either Mitch or Deuce or Precious or even Payne is going to wind up playing 12-14 mpg. Just so the minutes watchers aren't upset.

Oh buzz, how could you forget our elite Thibs bench of Rose, IQ, Burks, Obi, Noel. League leading bench if my memory serves me. Can’t remember what year he shortened it but we went on a winning streak after he did it. So we probably had at least a year and half of 10 man rotations.

With that being said, I think you’re right and Thibs won’t expand the rotation to 10 players, nor should he. Not really the biggest fan of this bench. It wouldn’t shock if these are Payne and Shamet’s last seasons in the nba.

There’s no easy answer for who the 9th man should be though. Precious is def a better player than shamet but you can’t play Mitch and precious together. Spacing is going to be a nightmare. If you go with shamet then towns is your back up for OG? Not sure I love that either. Unless they make a trade things will be a little clunky.

[KnixinSix]

Just like deeming the team a 1st round exit or 2nd round exit a week ago, it’s the same extreme as saying after last night they can win the chip. As amazing as the knicks have played the last two games just like when they were struggling a week ago, it’s unfair to judge any team based on how they are playing in December or January. The basketball season is a marathon not a sprint, as I’ve said from the get go, be healthy, playing your best ball in april/may. You can’t judge each individual win or loss in the regular season to determine what may or may not happen come playoff time

I have maintained this team is championship caliber with the 3 biggest things standing in the way being:

1. Thibs over taxing the starters
2. Not having the elite rim protecting 5
3. And related to #2, Not defending the 3 ball well enough due to too much over protecting the paint.

Right now #1 looks to be something Thibs is starting to (FINALLY) address. Will he revert back? Hopefully not but a very positive sign last few games.

The 2nd point has been mitigated a bit bc Achiuwa took a while to acclimate after his early injury kept him out until a month or so ago. It takes about a month or so to get in rythym and he looks to be just about all the way back. No doubt that an elite 5 rim protector though getting 20-25 minutes a game wouldn't also help even more too.

#3 is still a bit up and down but with fresher legs the team seems to have better energy and faster reaction to guard the 3 for sure.

This teams record last 36 games is better than almost the entire NBA.

Thunder 29-7
Cavs 27-9
Knicks 26-10
Celtics 24-12

[FrozenEnvelope]

I bet some here are more happy that JB and KAT didn't play the in the 4th quarter than the actual win.

[8516knicks]

I guess Bears now prefer to sh*t in Gardens not woods.

[KnixinSix]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

at least there are a couple 2+ day breaks mixed in there. 2 days off leading into lakers on Sat. After B2B they have 3 days off before facing Boston on 2/8 then another 2 days off before the B2B against IND/ATL.

Weird schedule I guess when there are two instances of 2+ days off mixed in with two B2Bs... it does seem like the team was getting worn down and is looking rejuvenated after that previous 3 days rest.

Maybe LeBron was on to something suggesting a reduction in games, where there would be more quality basketball.

If we can pull off a trade and/or continue to give our bench quality minutes and/or Mitch comes back soon...this team will be very tough to beat

[8516knicks]

Read on Twitter

If not all-star, Josh Hart should at least have a legitimate shot at most improved player

Lately I have felt there should be changes in two awards:

For NBA all-star there should be one spot for the 6th man non-starter (this year Josh would still miss out unfortunately) and for movies they should have an Oscar for the best missed Oscar going back over the years, like baseballs' 2nd chance at the HOF.

But next year, if Josh leads the 2nd unit, he should be an All Star (and maybe now as well).

[Fat Kat]

Read on Twitter

[KnixinSix]

I bet some here are more happy that JB and KAT didn't play the in the 4th quarter than the actual win.

Because of the long term ramifications of what that could mean, absolutely.

[LFGK]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

got Houston/Boston/Indi circled, Houston because everyone has this team as some world beater(like Memphis) and we want payback earlier in the season. Boston because well Boston and Indiana for payback earlier in the season. This will be a good test leading up to the ASB 5-1 4-2 is not out of the question

[mpharris36]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

got Houston/Boston/Indi circled, Houston because everyone has this team as some world beater(like Memphis) and we want payback earlier in the season. Boston because well Boston and Indiana for payback earlier in the season. This will be a good test leading up to the ASB 5-1 4-2 is not out of the question

Yeah DEN and LAL don't play at a crazy pace so we match up pretty well vs them.

HOUS/BOS/IND will be really interesting matchups because of the pace they play at. ATL even on a b2b will be interesting too.

Should be a real good test to gauge where this team is at once we hit the all star break.

[Tron Carter]

Read on Twitter

[LFGK]

1/29 DEN
2/1 LAL
2/3 HOU
2/4@TOR
2/8 BOS
2/11 @IND
2/12 ATL

That's the run up to the ASB. ALL playoff/play-in teams except TOR. B2Bs. Huge test. I want to continue streaking!!!

at least there are a couple 2+ day breaks mixed in there. 2 days off leading into lakers on Sat. After B2B they have 3 days off before facing Boston on 2/8 then another 2 days off before the B2B against IND/ATL.

Weird schedule I guess when there are two instances of 2+ days off mixed in with two B2Bs... it does seem like the team was getting worn down and is looking rejuvenated after that previous 3 days rest.

Maybe LeBron was on to something suggesting a reduction in games, where there would be more quality basketball.

all 4 major sports, the reg seasons are to long, Basketball, Hockey do not need 82 games to figure out the best 16 teams to get into the playoffs. 60 games is plenty. Football, that is never going to change they just keep adding games. 162 games is not needed for baseball, 1 game doesn't even equal 1% of the season its insanity, 100 games is enough.