PG: Knicks vs. Trail Blazers: #OGKENOBI

[spree2kawhi]

I'm really curious what the second unit would be with Wright taking Payne's spot and Deuce back. A backcourt of Wright/McBride would be tough defensively, and the ball movement would be better. I'm just not sure if they'd generate enough North/South pressure to sustain the offense.

Do you really see Wright taking Payne's role off the bench?

Thibs is all about NET rating so I doubt it. Payne shooting and pushing the pace would be nice.

Delon Wright is the better defender and isn't as reckless with the ball. He is more of a "system" guard where he initiates offense and then runs more sets. When Payne is more of a free spirit out there. When he's hot he can provide a spark but his shot selection is questionable at times.

Against a team like Boston in a potential 2nd round matchup i see Wright as more valuable because of his size and switchablility. BOS would try to pick on and get the smaller Payne in switches.

There has to be time for both and McBride. They’ve all been nothing but solid.

[j4remi]

I'm really curious what the second unit would be with Wright taking Payne's spot and Deuce back. A backcourt of Wright/McBride would be tough defensively, and the ball movement would be better. I'm just not sure if they'd generate enough North/South pressure to sustain the offense.

Do you really see Wright taking Payne's role off the bench?

Thibs is all about NET rating so I doubt it. Payne shooting and pushing the pace would be nice.

Delon Wright is the better defender and isn't as reckless with the ball. He is more of a "system" guard where he initiates offense and then runs more sets. When Payne is more of a free spirit out there. When he's hot he can provide a spark but his shot selection is questionable at times.

Do I see Thibs making that change? No.

Am I curious about how it would look? Absolutely. Payne's style of play is fine, and it generates pressure on the defense. But I don't think it gets the most out of Deuce or Shamet, who are better on catch-and-shoot opportunities than off-the-dribble shooting (at least at a distance). I also think that pairing the two best POA defenders off the bench on a team whose offense is best in transition could generate more turnovers and stops that lead to easy offense.

But I'm agnostic. I'm just curious what it would look like. I'm also interested to see if Tyler Kolek would help get Deuce into better shooting rhythm, but I know that's not happening.

[GONYK]

I'm really curious what the second unit would be with Wright taking Payne's spot and Deuce back. A backcourt of Wright/McBride would be tough defensively, and the ball movement would be better. I'm just not sure if they'd generate enough North/South pressure to sustain the offense.

Do you really see Wright taking Payne's role off the bench?

Thibs is all about NET rating so I doubt it. Payne shooting and pushing the pace would be nice.

Delon Wright is the better defender and isn't as reckless with the ball. He is more of a "system" guard where he initiates offense and then runs more sets. When Payne is more of a free spirit out there. When he's hot he can provide a spark but his shot selection is questionable at times.

Do I see Thibs making that change? No.

Am I curious about how it would look? Absolutely. Payne's style of play is fine, and it generates pressure on the defense. But I don't think it gets the most out of Deuce or Shamet, who are better on catch-and-shoot opportunities than off-the-dribble shooting (at least at a distance). I also think that pairing the two best POA defenders off the bench on a team whose offense is best in transition could generate more turnovers and stops that lead to easy offense.

But I'm agnostic. I'm just curious what it would look like. I'm also interested to see if Tyler Kolek would help get Deuce into better shooting rhythm, but I know that's not happening.

I'm going to say something that I hope isn't as controversial as it has the potential to be

Delon Wright is basically a Frank who isn't timid.

So we have a template of how Thibs would use a player like that. Situationally, and as more of wing.

I would say no, Payne is safe because Thibs values 1 thing from his PG above all else: Rim pressure. Cam, though not perfect, provides that more than the other two. He also gets up 3's with volume, which this offense needs.

I don't think Thibs views the other guys as PG's. Just small wings. If you play them, they have to be paired with either Brunson, Payne, or Mikal.

[robillionaire]

Well Josh Hart, Bridges and OG are 1st, 3rd and 5th in minutes played leaguewide (Crazy I know) so that ship has sailed already. Luckily though OG was hurt for 4 weeks so he has had a break already. Nowadays as a fan you have to hope for guys getting injured so they get a rest because the coach isn't doing it. God forbid a rookie could get playing time.

Good news is those guys aren’t really looking run down and ragged and they’re playing some of their best ball of the season. Now there are 8 games left and we are 4 games up on Indiana who thank goodness lost last night. So if we can manage to lock this thing in early maybe we can give these guys a couple games off down the stretch. A good start will be beating the 76ers

Have regulars ever been sat out for pre playoff rest on Thibs' watch?

Our position has rarely been locked in, last year we finished 1 game up on the bucks for the 2 seed and 2023 we rested guys the final 2 games after the position was locked in. 2021 we finished tied with the hawks with the tiebreaker and got home court advantage but had to play until the end

[GONYK]

Good news is those guys aren’t really looking run down and ragged and they’re playing some of their best ball of the season. Now there are 8 games left and we are 4 games up on Indiana who thank goodness lost last night. So if we can manage to lock this thing in early maybe we can give these guys a couple games off down the stretch. A good start will be beating the 76ers

Have regulars ever been sat out for pre playoff rest on Thibs' watch?

Our position has rarely been locked in, last year we finished 1 game up on the bucks for the 2 seed and 2023 we rested guys the final 2 games after the position was locked in

I think guys will get rest if we get to 50 wins.

[mpharris36]

Do you really see Wright taking Payne's role off the bench?

Thibs is all about NET rating so I doubt it. Payne shooting and pushing the pace would be nice.

Delon Wright is the better defender and isn't as reckless with the ball. He is more of a "system" guard where he initiates offense and then runs more sets. When Payne is more of a free spirit out there. When he's hot he can provide a spark but his shot selection is questionable at times.

Do I see Thibs making that change? No.

Am I curious about how it would look? Absolutely. Payne's style of play is fine, and it generates pressure on the defense. But I don't think it gets the most out of Deuce or Shamet, who are better on catch-and-shoot opportunities than off-the-dribble shooting (at least at a distance). I also think that pairing the two best POA defenders off the bench on a team whose offense is best in transition could generate more turnovers and stops that lead to easy offense.

But I'm agnostic. I'm just curious what it would look like. I'm also interested to see if Tyler Kolek would help get Deuce into better shooting rhythm, but I know that's not happening.

I'm going to say something that I hope isn't as controversial as it has the potential to be

Delon Wright is basically a Frank who isn't timid.

So we have a template of how Thibs would use a player like that. Situationally, and as more of wing.

I would say no, Payne is safe because Thibs values 1 thing from his PG above all else: Rim pressure. Cam, though not perfect, provides that more than the other two. He also gets up 3's with volume, which this offense needs.

I don't think Thibs views the other guys as PG's. Just small wings. If you play them, they have to be paired with either Brunson, Payne, or Mikal.

Solid comp

I don't think its a bad thing to give more Mikal on ball (the injury to Brunson kinda showed how important it is to involve both Mikal and OG consistently in the offense). I always thought Mikal should be running most of the 2nd unit on ball offense anyway when Brunson is on the bench. We see how much better he is on ball then just a floor spacer. He gets into rhythm better with the ball in his hands when he is engaged.

[Reign23]

Wright is not taking Paynes spot in the rotation based on those two games, come on.
(I would definitly be for it, tho. I don't trust Cam Payne in the playoffs one bit.)

[thebuzzardman]

Read on Twitter

He should be the third option

Brunson should be the 4th option

Trade Brunson for Tre Murphy, bench Hart

McBride/Wright
Mikal/McBride
Tre Murphy/Hart
OG/Hart/Tre Murphy
KAT/Mitch

Eight Is Enough

[thebuzzardman]

When did OG discover he had a Mikal middy in his bag? Maybe there was a hidden zipper pocket he didn't know was there but when he found it and opened it up out it popped...

Brunson was clogging all the midrange

[thebuzzardman]

Kolek less than 17 minutes. My prediction held up

Both Knick runs came when Kolek came in the game. We gave up the first one and Thibs pulled Kolek during the 2nd run.
Kolek was a +9 and Delon a +8.
Thibs don’t like this rookie. Get your minutes now Kolek and take more shots.

Next game: Wright 40 minutes, Ron Baker 2.0 8 minutes

[thebuzzardman]

I'm really curious what the second unit would be with Wright taking Payne's spot and Deuce back. A backcourt of Wright/McBride would be tough defensively, and the ball movement would be better. I'm just not sure if they'd generate enough North/South pressure to sustain the offense.

Do you really see Wright taking Payne's role off the bench?

Thibs is all about NET rating so I doubt it. Payne shooting and pushing the pace would be nice.
Just cut all the Shamet minutes
Delon Wright is the better defender and isn't as reckless with the ball. He is more of a "system" guard where he initiates offense and then runs more sets. When Payne is more of a free spirit out there. When he's hot he can provide a spark but his shot selection is questionable at times.

Against a team like Boston in a potential 2nd round matchup i see Wright as more valuable because of his size and switchablility. BOS would try to pick on and get the smaller Payne in switches.

There has to be time for both and McBride. They’ve all been nothing but solid.

Just cut all the Shamet minutes

[GONYK]

Do I see Thibs making that change? No.

Am I curious about how it would look? Absolutely. Payne's style of play is fine, and it generates pressure on the defense. But I don't think it gets the most out of Deuce or Shamet, who are better on catch-and-shoot opportunities than off-the-dribble shooting (at least at a distance). I also think that pairing the two best POA defenders off the bench on a team whose offense is best in transition could generate more turnovers and stops that lead to easy offense.

But I'm agnostic. I'm just curious what it would look like. I'm also interested to see if Tyler Kolek would help get Deuce into better shooting rhythm, but I know that's not happening.

I'm going to say something that I hope isn't as controversial as it has the potential to be

Delon Wright is basically a Frank who isn't timid.

So we have a template of how Thibs would use a player like that. Situationally, and as more of wing.

I would say no, Payne is safe because Thibs values 1 thing from his PG above all else: Rim pressure. Cam, though not perfect, provides that more than the other two. He also gets up 3's with volume, which this offense needs.

I don't think Thibs views the other guys as PG's. Just small wings. If you play them, they have to be paired with either Brunson, Payne, or Mikal.

Solid comp

I don't think its a bad thing to give more Mikal on ball (the injury to Brunson kinda showed how important it is to involve both Mikal and OG consistently in the offense). I always thought Mikal should be running most of the 2nd unit on ball offense anyway when Brunson is on the bench. We see how much better he is on ball then just a floor spacer. He gets into rhythm better with the ball in his hands when he is engaged.

I know the headline for most people when it comes to how the team has adjusted in these Brunson-less games is the offensive output from Wingstop, but where my eyes go is how much better everything works on both ends when Mikal doesn't have to guard the point of attack.

The defense has a much sturdier structure with OG and Mikal as free safeties. By putting Wright or a healthy Deuce at the POA, it's like we've gained 2 defenders instead of 1 in the lineup because of Mikal's increased effectiveness. Mikal isn't an OG/Holiday type wrecker. He's really an apex Ariza.

Then that carries over on the other end because Mikal has more energy on offense.

That obviously won't carry over full-time when Jalen comes back, but I think we should be looking for the opportunity to get Mikal off ball on defense and on ball on offense as much as it makes sense when we're healthy again.

[thebuzzardman]

Delon Wright: Thibs has found his Elfrid Payton replacement

[MrDollarBills]

I wouldn't mind seeing Wright continue to play honestly.

Wright might be a short term keeper at back up PG to give Kolek more time to acclimate to playing in the league.

I liked his activity on both ends. I don't have any stats or metrics but he didn't look like a negative on the floor. Decent ball handler, as a facilitator I'm not blown away but he looked good at the point of attack.

Keep him in the rotation.

[Polk377]

We are seeing the best of Bridges and OG right now and it has to do with how open the offense has been in different sets. They can't stick to 80% JB pick and roll when he gets back. Bridges is a talented motion scorer who is one of the best mid range shooters in the league. Let him operate 30% of the offense in pick and rolls. It will let JB get a little break so he can recover from the beating he takes on every possession, opens the mid range for Bridges to create and utilizes JBs ability as a great spot up shooter.

[MrDollarBills]

Do I see Thibs making that change? No.

Am I curious about how it would look? Absolutely. Payne's style of play is fine, and it generates pressure on the defense. But I don't think it gets the most out of Deuce or Shamet, who are better on catch-and-shoot opportunities than off-the-dribble shooting (at least at a distance). I also think that pairing the two best POA defenders off the bench on a team whose offense is best in transition could generate more turnovers and stops that lead to easy offense.

But I'm agnostic. I'm just curious what it would look like. I'm also interested to see if Tyler Kolek would help get Deuce into better shooting rhythm, but I know that's not happening.

I'm going to say something that I hope isn't as controversial as it has the potential to be

Delon Wright is basically a Frank who isn't timid.

So we have a template of how Thibs would use a player like that. Situationally, and as more of wing.

I would say no, Payne is safe because Thibs values 1 thing from his PG above all else: Rim pressure. Cam, though not perfect, provides that more than the other two. He also gets up 3's with volume, which this offense needs.

I don't think Thibs views the other guys as PG's. Just small wings. If you play them, they have to be paired with either Brunson, Payne, or Mikal.

Solid comp

I don't think its a bad thing to give more Mikal on ball (the injury to Brunson kinda showed how important it is to involve both Mikal and OG consistently in the offense). I always thought Mikal should be running most of the 2nd unit on ball offense anyway when Brunson is on the bench. We see how much better he is on ball then just a floor spacer. He gets into rhythm better with the ball in his hands when he is engaged.

Literally what I've seen saying about Mikal all year. He needs to be in movement and getting the ball in the mid range.

[thebuzzardman]

We are seeing the best of Bridges and OG right now and it has to do with how open the offense has been in different sets. They can't stick to 80% JB pick and roll when he gets back. Bridges is a talented motion scorer who is one of the best mid range shooters in the league. Let him operate 30% of the offense in pick and rolls. It will let JB get a little break so he can recover from the beating he takes on every possession, opens the mid range for Bridges to create and utilizes JBs ability as a great spot up shooter.

Brunson is too selfish to let that happen. Trading him is the only option.

[thebuzzardman]

If people don’t think the offense isn’t stagnant with Wright and Hart playing together I’m not sure what they are watching

[3toheadmelo]

From what I saw in the first quarter Delon wright was doing his best frank impression and kept passing up open 3s. Even Clyde was saying he needs to shoot it. I rather have Cam Payne out there when he comes back.

[j4remi]

I'm going to say something that I hope isn't as controversial as it has the potential to be

Delon Wright is basically a Frank who isn't timid.

So we have a template of how Thibs would use a player like that. Situationally, and as more of wing.

I would say no, Payne is safe because Thibs values 1 thing from his PG above all else: Rim pressure. Cam, though not perfect, provides that more than the other two. He also gets up 3's with volume, which this offense needs.

I don't think Thibs views the other guys as PG's. Just small wings. If you play them, they have to be paired with either Brunson, Payne, or Mikal.

Solid comp

I don't think its a bad thing to give more Mikal on ball (the injury to Brunson kinda showed how important it is to involve both Mikal and OG consistently in the offense). I always thought Mikal should be running most of the 2nd unit on ball offense anyway when Brunson is on the bench. We see how much better he is on ball then just a floor spacer. He gets into rhythm better with the ball in his hands when he is engaged.

I know the headline for most people when it comes to how the team has adjusted in these Brunson-less games is the offensive output from Wingstop, but where my eyes go is how much better everything works on both ends when Mikal doesn't have to guard the point of attack.

The defense has a much sturdier structure with OG and Mikal as free safeties. By putting Wright or a healthy Deuce at the POA, it's like we've gained 2 defenders instead of 1 in the lineup because of Mikal's increased effectiveness. Mikal isn't an OG/Holiday type wrecker. He's really an apex Ariza.

Then that carries over on the other end because Mikal has more energy on offense.

That obviously won't carry over full-time when Jalen comes back, but I think we should be looking for the opportunity to get Mikal off ball on defense and on ball on offense as much as it makes sense when we're healthy again.

This is why I say, I have no illusions that Thibodeau would make the change, but I'm curious about it. Wright can't run the offense the way Cam can, obviously. But what he provides for the defense is really helpful, and when you have Mikal Bridges and OG playing at their current level on offense, you don't really need Cam Payne chucking three's.

Basically, let Bridges and OG be the North/South guy and let Deuce and Wright harass defenders and get the team into sets.