PG: KNICKS 'Maul' The Grizzlies: Brunson/OG/Mitch Edition

[HarthorneWingo]

Watching Mitch fly out to the perimeter to contest a 3 was a thing of beauty, I sat there in awe

And causing a miss! He’s going to make a difference.

[Reign23]

Hell yeah, that was some quality win. Glad that Mitch is back, now we finally have the full squad.
What a shot by OG.

[HEZI]

Right...trash

It is especially if he’s going 0-5 from 3. He has no handle and can’t dribble without looking like he’s about to lose the ball so most times when he attempts to and the defense applies even a little pressure he has to pick up his dribble and pass. He’s very weak and doesn’t attack the rim with the ball at all whatsoever. Certain things he tries to do offensively just annoy me

If he's at 50 percent overall and playing elite defense versus Jah Morant as your 3rd option ...trash is way too strong of a word.

His offense has been trash. 15 points on 14 shot attempts. If you look at the whole month it’s pretty much been that way. He’s averaging 15 points on 13.5 shots and only shooting 32% from 3. As the schedule has gotten tougher his production has fallen off

[thebuzzardman]

I don't like that Achiuwa only played 4 minutes. Thibs should be more adaptable to find him minutes playing some 4 and small ball 5.

That was disappointing but it’s tough to play Precious and Mitch together

[HEZI]

Right...trash

It is especially if he’s going 0-5 from 3. He has no handle and can’t dribble without looking like he’s about to lose the ball so most times when he attempts to and the defense applies even a little pressure he has to pick up his dribble and pass. He’s very weak and doesn’t attack the rim with the ball at all whatsoever. Certain things he tries to do offensively just annoy me

He is shooting well above league average at the rim, in the midrange and on the corner three. The only place he is struggling is the above the break three. He is also doing that while being the primary point of attack defender against everyone from Morant to Tatum for 38 minutes per game while being surrounded by weak defenders like Brunson, KAT and whatever it is that Hart does defensively.

Do people think we traded for Mikal Bridges or a version of prime Kawhi Leonard that never misses games while also leading the league in minutes? What more should be expected from the 3rd option in a Thibs offense? His defense could be better at times but what lockdown defenders are playing point of attack defense for the majority of their 38 minutes per game and giving you good offense too?

He’s more of a 4th option rather than a 3rd option and that’s kind of the problem. What mismatches does he create offensively for any matchup? None. He’s heavily reliant on a system or other players to create looks for him and struggles to do any of it on his own. This is not good for a deep playoff run when the team overall lacks ball handling and shot creation. As Brunson will see more traps, it will force guys like Bridges to create for themselves and he’s just not good at that. You look at teams like Boston and Cleveland, their 3rd guy is KP and Mobley. They have multiple guards/wings who can create for themselves and others and they have versatility that we just don’t.

Bridges would be ok if we had that 2nd perimeter guy but we don’t and he has to be it and that’s just not his strength

[Strick]

Phenomenal game to watch. We started off super slow but grinded out the win. Deuce was massive in the comeback and I would’ve liked to see more of him down the stretch. Loved seeing Mitch back out there and he really made an impact. Brunson clutch down the stretch and shoutout to OG for knocking down the 3 at the end. Let’s keep building!

[Reign23]

It was a 1 point game and no one played more than 38 minutes. Thank you, Tom.

[god shammgod]

Sham won

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[MrDollarBills]

Mitch is back, Knicks win against a tough opponent and Embiid's career is in shambles. What a wild 24 hours this has been.

[rajajackal]

Sham won

Read on Twitter

mitchell robinson restored my interest in this season at its most dire low point so kind of yes

[thebuzzardman]

Sham won

Read on Twitter

Jesus

[KnixinSix]

Watching Mitch fly out to the perimeter to contest a 3 was a thing of beauty, I sat there in awe

And causing a miss! He’s going to make a difference.

I have been saying this for months.

Mitch is the potential game changer for this rigid Thibs defense. The defense on the 3 ball was tighter too. Grizz were 4 of 31. That's not just purely cold shooting. Its tighter perimeter D because having Robinson out there helps not have to play so packed in the paint. He also had the highest plus minus on entire team at +11 in a 1 pt win.

And this is just his first game back. Its going to get better and better as long as he can stay healthy

[TKKnicks1]

So looks like Timmy is going with Mitch/OG/Hart/Mikal/Deuce to get a stop defensively when we need one. Its sad that you're best two players are on the bench.

[KnixinSix]

I don't like that Achiuwa only played 4 minutes. Thibs should be more adaptable to find him minutes playing some 4 and small ball 5.

That was disappointing but it’s tough to play Precious and Mitch together

Achiuwa clearly doesn't have the impact Mitch does for this defense.

No issue with this whatseover.

We just need KAT to be fully healthy again. He looked labored out there last night.

Also once Mitch is fully back in rythym he is going to potentially be that final missing piece we needed back in Thibs D.

We will also probably see more of THIS big boy lineup. 4 guys that can hit the 3, 3 guys who are not just above average but high level defenders, 4 guys above average height for their respective positions, and strong rebounding:

Mitch
KAT
OG
Bridges
Brunson

[KnixinSix]

So looks like Timmy is going with Mitch/OG/Hart/Mikal/Deuce to get a stop defensively when we need one. Its sad that you're best two players are on the bench.

No its not. Especially if it is strategic.

[YMMV]

So Mikal went 0/5 on 3's.. Ok so Grizzlies were 0/10 in the entire 2nd half & Ja was 0-6... Just saying...

[LFGK]

It is especially if he’s going 0-5 from 3. He has no handle and can’t dribble without looking like he’s about to lose the ball so most times when he attempts to and the defense applies even a little pressure he has to pick up his dribble and pass. He’s very weak and doesn’t attack the rim with the ball at all whatsoever. Certain things he tries to do offensively just annoy me

He is shooting well above league average at the rim, in the midrange and on the corner three. The only place he is struggling is the above the break three. He is also doing that while being the primary point of attack defender against everyone from Morant to Tatum for 38 minutes per game while being surrounded by weak defenders like Brunson, KAT and whatever it is that Hart does defensively.

Do people think we traded for Mikal Bridges or a version of prime Kawhi Leonard that never misses games while also leading the league in minutes? What more should be expected from the 3rd option in a Thibs offense? His defense could be better at times but what lockdown defenders are playing point of attack defense for the majority of their 38 minutes per game and giving you good offense too?

He’s more of a 4th option rather than a 3rd option and that’s kind of the problem. What mismatches does he create offensively for any matchup? None. He’s heavily reliant on a system or other players to create looks for him and struggles to do any of it on his own. This is not good for a deep playoff run when the team overall lacks ball handling and shot creation. As Brunson will see more traps, it will force guys like Bridges to create for themselves and he’s just not good at that. You look at teams like Boston and Cleveland, their 3rd guy is KP and Mobley. They have multiple guards/wings who can create for themselves and others and they have versatility that we just don’t.

Bridges would be ok if we had that 2nd perimeter guy but we don’t and he has to be it and that’s just not his strength

I'll hear KP but not listening to nothing about that Scrib Mobley, I don't buy anything of ways going on with that man, I pray we can see Cleveland in the playoffs healthy

[seren]

We won despite really bad coaching. McBride deserved to stay on court. Hart is struggling badly and needs time off. We aren’t winning anything if we continue to give easy baskets and lose the rebounding game. Not many teams will go 4/31 from the three. Eventually, Mitch needs to start and KAT needs to be moved to 4. Move Hart to the second unit and we might have a chance.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Feels good the morning after a gritty win over a top team. Making us the winner of the battle for 4th!! We're not the fifth! We're not the fifth! Fun times.

[3toheadmelo]

Sham won

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mitchell robinson restored my interest in this season at its most dire low point so kind of yes

Same here lol. I am not even that much of a fan of Mitch but his defense is game changing compared to KAT. Seems like Mitch even got Mikal to look better on defense too.