PG: Knicks smack Hicks

[Chanel Bomber]

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Knicks fans say they care about defense but the reality most Knicks fans don't really care about defense.

They just pretend to.

It's one of my key takeaways from supporting this team for nearly 20 years.

[Reign23]

really solid win. KAT was insane.

[Chanel Bomber]

This is the best or second-best Knicks team in the last quarter century.

They're behind only Boston and OKC, who are clearly a step ahead of them. We're in that second tier with Cleveland, Denver, LA and Memphis.

Seems like a large portion of the fanbase is just waiting for the playoffs. I think there are also a lot of KAT haters who are hedging their bet a bit, waiting to see how this team compares to last year's team.

Let me be clear that this observation obviously does not concern our boy melo. But unfortunately a lot of folks are homophobic, and I think is a lot of the "sassy" or "zesty" comments you see on social media (let alone "pause") are veiled ways of distancing themselves from KAT because they feel his character is "gay". And these fans already have one foot out the door in case the team fails to reach another round - "I knew it wasn't going to work out so I was never all in".

All we need is health. This team is a threat for anyone.

[mpharris36]

really solid win. KAT was insane.

MONTOYA!!!

[Jalen Bluntson]

I don't think this team without Robinson beats the top 3 of Thunder, Cavs and Celts. With a HEALTHY Mitch who is anywhere near the Mitch of last few years we CAN potentially beat anybody.

Well....you never know but, Mitch is on this roster and we are challenging the top of the league to make the playoffs. So we are contending. If we fall short that's ok. If we get better with Mitch and win, that's ok too. We are actual contenders right now. That doesn't change until we lose in the playoffs. Then we regroup and try again next year.

JB your tune from this offseason has definitely become more optimistic and I love that.

With that said, I think this teams defense is too flawed in Thibs rigid system to beat the top, top teams WITHOUT an elite rim protector.

THibs has had an elite rim protector all 5 years he has been here. KAT while he has been awesome in practically every other way , has proven he can't be an elite rim protector at this point.

Achiuwa is nice but he isn't a true elite rim protector either. Huk is developing as a rookie and it's clear Thibs doesn't fully trust him yet.

So while I love this team they would need a coach who isn't so rigid and can execute a high level switching defense to win with this group without the elite 5 (without Mitch or an elite rim protector).

I was not a fan of the trade originally because I bought into the talk of KAT being soft and not really knowing what he was all about. I knew the trade made sense but, I loved the January team and really wanted to run it back with Mikal. Shart changed all of that. After preseason I was totally on board. When the season started there was a few of us stressing patience and just enjoying watching the team find their way while people were complaining about EVERYONE in the starting 5.

I lost my patience with Thibs for a week or two but, have since just been trying to enjoy the team itself. The minutes wars were so annoying because Thibs lawyers simply can't see what was happening and they wouldn't shut up about it. The bench wars were a part of that as well. He refuses to try anything different and we watched KAT go down in Chicago when he shouldn't have even been on the court. Then we saw OG go down with a non contact injury as well. I have since dropped out of the Thibs wars.

This team is right there. They have a weak bench offensively and we have a weak offensive system. Our defense can only work one way with Thibs as the HC. These are the flaws that I see. We still haven't played a single game with everyone in the rotation healthy. After the break we should be able to start building that chemistry. It may click at the right time and then the sky is the limit. We may need to change up the bench next summer before we make a real finals run. Who knows?

Just because we lost two games to BOS 3.5 months apart doesn't mean we can't compete in a series. It doesn't look good but, time will tell. We almost beat OKC in one of the losses. We choked away the CLE game the one time we played them as well. None of those games happened when we had any real chemistry or a complete team/bench. There is no telling what lies ahead but, we may fall short because of depth and/or coaching. I will deal with that reality when it happens. Until then, I will enjoy every minute of this season that I can and take the highs with the lows. Every team ahead of us in the assumed pecking order has multiple years of chemistry and continuity. We have 3.5 months. That is the reality of the situation.

The other reality is that we haven't had a team this good in over 25 years. I don't count that 54 win season because we had serious issues with that team and a circus tent pitched over the team for a decade before and after that. This is a new beginning and, I am here for all of it. No matter how the season ends. We are right there with the best teams in the league. It will be a matter of getting over the hump at some point. I trust the FO can actually make it happen if they keep doing what they have been doing. When was the last time you could say that about this team?

[NoDopeOnSundays]

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[3toheadmelo]

Knicks fans wanted to put Obi Toppin in our starting lineup because supposedly the team plays better with him whatever thats supposed to mean. Thats why I let Leon and Thibs do their thing or we'd have Obi at center instead of Towns lol

They don’t know ball

Hyping up Obi, they tried to convince us Jericho Sims with a mid 3 ball is better than Randle...the madness

The Obi lovers went out sad. Lost his starting spot and the pacers are trying to trade him.

[Fury]

This is the best or second-best Knicks team in the last quarter century.

They're behind only Boston and OKC, who are clearly a step ahead of them. We're in that second tier with Cleveland, Denver, LA and Memphis.

Seems like a large portion of the fanbase is just waiting for the playoffs. I think there are also a lot of KAT haters who are hedging their bet a bit, waiting to see how this team compares to last year's team.

Let me be clear that this observation obviously does not concern our boy melo. But unfortunately a lot of folks are homophobic, and I think is a lot of the "sassy" or "zesty" comments you see on social media (let alone "pause") are veiled ways of distancing themselves from KAT because they feel his character is "gay". And these fans already have one foot out the door in case the team fails to reach another round - "I knew it wasn't going to work out so I was never all in".

All we need is health. This team is a threat for anyone.

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I feel like a lot of Knick fans are like Goldilocks. If it isn't just right, perfect backcourt, perfect frontcourt, then it's not worth rooting for. Like you have so many good teams that had their issues during the season and ended up winning the title later on. It's a process and nothing is guaranteed, but if this team does win a title, it won't be easy and everything won't be "just right."

[K_ick_God]

Even if he’s ineffective sometimes, I really appreciate KAT’s effort on defense.

I’m even growing to love his constant O-Faces of disbelief at the ref on clear fouls.

[Jalen Bluntson]

This is the best or second-best Knicks team in the last quarter century.

They're behind only Boston and OKC, who are clearly a step ahead of them. We're in that second tier with Cleveland, Denver, LA and Memphis.

Seems like a large portion of the fanbase is just waiting for the playoffs. I think there are also a lot of KAT haters who are hedging their bet a bit, waiting to see how this team compares to last year's team.

Let me be clear that this observation obviously does not concern our boy melo. But unfortunately a lot of folks are homophobic, and I think is a lot of the "sassy" or "zesty" comments you see on social media (let alone "pause") are veiled ways of distancing themselves from KAT because they feel his character is "gay". And these fans already have one foot out the door in case the team fails to reach another round - "I knew it wasn't going to work out so I was never all in".

All we need is health. This team is a threat for anyone.

Read on Twitter

I feel like a lot of Knick fans are like Goldilocks. If it isn't just right, perfect backcourt, perfect frontcourt, then it's not worth rooting for. Like you have so many good teams that had their issues during the season and ended up winning the title later on. It's a process and nothing is guaranteed, but if this team does win a title, it won't be easy and everything won't be "just right."

Exactly this. I said as much yesterday. Some of these people need to find a new hobby because they don't understand winning on any level. They would rather cry and root for losses and tanks. FOH.

[robillionaire]

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Knicks fans say they care about defense but the reality most Knicks fans don't really care about defense.

They just pretend to.

It's one of my key takeaways from supporting this team for nearly 20 years.

I don’t agree. Knicks fans really do care about defense. But at the same time every player doesn’t have to be a good defender though. Brunson is a terrible defensive player but we know what he brings to our team and he is a beloved player and well deserved. It might be more accurate to say fans love hustle type guys, and a lot of the time hustle and defense goes hand in hand.

The takeaway I have is that we tend to treat drafted players like they are our children and are willing to overlook their glaring flaws and will try to end the careers of actually good players and coaches if they think they are standing in the way or their children are being slighted

The narrative I always heard was folks saying “you can’t rebuild in NY” because fans aren’t patient, that’s hilariously wrong from what I can tell. Most fans would rather lose forever, so they don’t have to deal with any kind of expectations, scout international and ncaa prospects and watch hype videos of young players while we lose 60+ games every year. We could do this forever and fans would be thrilled and excited.

We are in year 1 of having this very talented roster post the Towns and Bridges additions, having a good season even with the natural time to build cohesion that comes with a new team. Not even to the all star break yet, and people are trying to put a ceiling on it, say it’s over for 5 years, it’s back to Isaiah, fire and trade everyone(I assume so we can go back to hitting the tank crack pipe) I sort of wonder when the demands for players to be removed or people to be fired when Kolek Dadiet and Hukporti don’t amount to much, because that’s more important and exciting than winning games.

We have a top 5 record in the league and fans hate it. People need to change that saying. You can’t try to win in NY.

[BKlutch]

They don’t know ball

Hyping up Obi, they tried to convince us Jericho Sims with a mid 3 ball is better than Randle...the madness

The Obi lovers went out sad. Lost his starting spot and the pacers are trying to trade him.

I remember so many posts year ago that if only Obi got to play instead of Julius, we'd win so much more. They all blamed Thibs for refusing to give Obi a chance. As it turns out, the coaching staff was able to evaluate Obi in practice, and they knew he wasn't it. But it really pissed off a lot of folks!

[BKlutch]

This is the best or second-best Knicks team in the last quarter century.

They're behind only Boston and OKC, who are clearly a step ahead of them. We're in that second tier with Cleveland, Denver, LA and Memphis.

Seems like a large portion of the fanbase is just waiting for the playoffs. I think there are also a lot of KAT haters who are hedging their bet a bit, waiting to see how this team compares to last year's team.

Let me be clear that this observation obviously does not concern our boy melo. But unfortunately a lot of folks are homophobic, and I think is a lot of the "sassy" or "zesty" comments you see on social media (let alone "pause") are veiled ways of distancing themselves from KAT because they feel his character is "gay". And these fans already have one foot out the door in case the team fails to reach another round - "I knew it wasn't going to work out so I was never all in".

All we need is health. This team is a threat for anyone.

Read on Twitter

I feel like a lot of Knick fans are like Goldilocks. If it isn't just right, perfect backcourt, perfect frontcourt, then it's not worth rooting for. Like you have so many good teams that had their issues during the season and ended up winning the title later on. It's a process and nothing is guaranteed, but if this team does win a title, it won't be easy and everything won't be "just right."

It's really awful seeing how they can't enjoy the games or the team at all if everything's not perfect.

Yes, I really want us to win it all. But I love watching us play and love what great games they're giving us!

[thebuzzardman]

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Knicks fans say they care about defense but the reality most Knicks fans don't really care about defense.

They just pretend to.

It's one of my key takeaways from supporting this team for nearly 20 years.

I don’t agree. Knicks fans really do care about defense. But at the same time every player doesn’t have to be a good defender though. Brunson is a terrible defensive player but we know what he brings to our team and he is a beloved player and well deserved. It might be more accurate to say fans love hustle type guys, and a lot of the time hustle and defense goes hand in hand.

The takeaway I have is that we tend to treat drafted players like they are our children and are willing to overlook their glaring flaws and will try to end the careers of actually good players and coaches if they think they are standing in the way or their children are being slighted

The narrative I always heard was folks saying “you can’t rebuild in NY” because fans aren’t patient, that’s hilariously wrong from what I can tell. Most fans would rather lose forever, so they don’t have to deal with any kind of expectations, scout international and ncaa prospects and watch hype videos of young players while we lose 60+ games every year. We could do this forever and fans would be thrilled and excited.

We are in year 1 of having this very talented roster post the Towns and Bridges additions, having a good season even with the natural time to build cohesion that comes with a new team. Not even to the all star break yet, and people are trying to put a ceiling on it, say it’s over for 5 years, it’s back to Isaiah, fire and trade everyone(I assume so we can go back to hitting the tank crack pipe) I sort of wonder when the demands for players to be removed or people to be fired when Kolek Dadiet and Hukporti don’t amount to much, because that’s more important and exciting than winning games.

We have a top 5 record in the league and fans hate it. People need to change that saying. You can’t try to win in NY.

Thibs still needs to go

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Even if he’s ineffective sometimes, I really appreciate KAT’s effort on defense.

I’m even growing to love his constant O-Faces of disbelief at the ref on clear fouls.

His "OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!" screams when he doesn't get a foul call are hilarious, he's so non-threatening that despite yelling at the top of his lungs the refs don't give him a tech.

[K_ick_God]

Even if he’s ineffective sometimes, I really appreciate KAT’s effort on defense.

I’m even growing to love his constant O-Faces of disbelief at the ref on clear fouls.

His "OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!" screams when he doesn't get a foul call are hilarious, he's so non-threatening that despite yelling at the top of his lungs the refs don't give him a tech.

Really true. Something uncannily innocent minded and approachable about the guy.

It's also crazy that he's as good a passer as he is. I don't think people really noted the no-look pass in the open court yesterday lol.

He's just fun to watch and his flaws are not annoying at all.

[K_ick_God]

Is Josh Hart a 6'4 version of Giannis?

I'm not joking BTW...

Pretty much a great observation here. Some guys figure out a few things in their primes that make them special. That has happened with Josh. But it's a will to win, similar to GA.

[RHODEY]

As long as we don’t play OKC, Boston, or Cleveland, we will dominate. We’ll raise our banner by the end of round 1 of playoffs while those 3 teams unfortunately have to wait until the finals

Full strength with both Mitch and OG, and whom ever we add to our bench...Warren?, and I'm ready for rematches versus all those jokers.

[Guano]

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Knicks fans say they care about defense but the reality most Knicks fans don't really care about defense.

They just pretend to.

It's one of my key takeaways from supporting this team for nearly 20 years.

Shortsighted and harsh. We grasp for hope. The starphuckers, the frank hive, the barbs, the January Knicks stan, all of it is just wanting whats best for the knicks to win. And sometimes in the case of obi over randle is the hope in the young unknown over randle. Its easier to dismiss his lack of defense thsn someone we saw not try on defense for awhile.

[RHODEY]

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