PG: fake contenders

[djsunyc]

good news knicks fans - no back to backs in the playoffs
bad news knicks fans - it's the playoffs so og and mitch will be hurt

[JayTWill]

We got Zach Lowe on the side of truth and justice now.

Read on Twitter

National media has turned the spotlight on Thibs, finally, thank you for all these national games where we get our clothes folded while still wearing them.

He stole that info from me last week! No one else is crazy enough to dig through early December gamelogs to defend Mikal "5 picks" Bridges

[TheGreenArrow]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

[prophet_of_rage]

With OG emerging, somebody in the Herb Jones/Camara mold might make more sense than Mikal. A bigger 3/D tweener. We'd need more coming back in that trade, obviously.

Do we need a bigger Mikal or a bigger Deuce?

Is it Mikal who needs replacing in the SL or is it Josh?

It's Mikal. He doesn't actually contribute anything as a starter. With JB back he would be the 4th option in the offence and if he isn't getting the ball he soesn't do anything at all. He soesn't rebound, he doesn't playmake, he doesn't get to the line. If you keot him in the SL with Deuce who also needs shots how does that work? Hart doean't need shots.

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[TheGreenArrow]

We got Zach Lowe on the side of truth and justice now.

Read on Twitter

National media has turned the spotlight on Thibs, finally, thank you for all these national games where we get our clothes folded while still wearing them.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g

Simmons called the bridges trade way before anyone else…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[prophet_of_rage]

With OG emerging, somebody in the Herb Jones/Camara mold might make more sense than Mikal. A bigger 3/D tweener. We'd need more coming back in that trade, obviously.

It's Josh that's the sticking point, you replace him with a guy that can catch and shoot at a higher clip and everything works better. The fact that Josh can't really play off the ball means Mikal can't play on it as much as he should, Josh is second on the team in touches per game.

Josh Hart can't cut? He can't screen? Off course he can play off the ball. Bringing in another shooter like Deuce takes Mikal out even more. Mikal.is sawft.

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[HEZI]

And it was in this moment we knew we fkd up

[GONYK]

With OG emerging, somebody in the Herb Jones/Camara mold might make more sense than Mikal. A bigger 3/D tweener. We'd need more coming back in that trade, obviously.

Do we need a bigger Mikal or a bigger Deuce?

Is it Mikal who needs replacing in the SL or is it Josh?

It's Mikal. He doesn't actually contribute anything as a starter. With JB back he would be the 4th option in the offence and if he isn't getting the ball he soesn't do anything at all. He soesn't rebound, he doesn't playmake, he doesn't get to the line. If you keot him in the SL with Deuce who also needs shots how does that work? Hart doean't need shots.

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I disagree that he contributes nothing. When we had Deuce guarding the POA, Mikal was playing pretty great defense as a wing patroller. He also provides spacing, shooting from the corners, and a tertiary playmaker.

The question is if that outweighs what Josh brings. Josh brings a ton of value and versatility, some of which overlap with Mikal, but he prevents you from playing 5 out.

Josh and Mikal are essentially playing different flavors of the same role and that may be preventing us from maximizing both.

Deuce mostly scores off spot ups. He gets shots without needing the ball and he guards the POA better than anyone else on the team. He slides Mikal back into his more natural defensive role. He's just small.

[cgf]

Just two more b2bs to go

Anyways, was a fun first half before they turned it up and we gassed. Really hope that at some point this season we get to see what this team looks like with the top 7 + Shamet & Achiuwa healthy. Would be really fun if we could roll:

Brunson - McBride* - Hart* - Anunoby* - Robinson
McBride - Shamet* - Bridges* - Achiuwa - Towns

before closing with

Brunson - Hart/McBride - Bridges - Anunoby - Towns
or
Brunson - Bridges - Anunoby - Towns - Robinson

[Capn'O]

With OG emerging, somebody in the Herb Jones/Camara mold might make more sense than Mikal. A bigger 3/D tweener. We'd need more coming back in that trade, obviously.

Do we need a bigger Mikal or a bigger Deuce?

Is it Mikal who needs replacing in the SL or is it Josh?

It's Mikal. He doesn't actually contribute anything as a starter. With JB back he would be the 4th option in the offence and if he isn't getting the ball he soesn't do anything at all. He soesn't rebound, he doesn't playmake, he doesn't get to the line. If you keot him in the SL with Deuce who also needs shots how does that work? Hart doean't need shots.

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That's roughly where I'm coming from. OG is proving he should be the 3rd option, at which point a player like Mikal is somewhat redundant. You need role players (3-d) and bench scoring from there.

Josh could get replaced in the SL as well. Deuce for Hart may be worth looking into and then have Hart as a super sub between the 2-4. Deuce/JB combos have been lucrative this year, despite giving up size.

[Wildcat]

I hate the idea of rewarding Deuce a starting spot when he's played so poorly this season.

[Capn'O]

Do we need a bigger Mikal or a bigger Deuce?

Is it Mikal who needs replacing in the SL or is it Josh?

It's Mikal. He doesn't actually contribute anything as a starter. With JB back he would be the 4th option in the offence and if he isn't getting the ball he soesn't do anything at all. He soesn't rebound, he doesn't playmake, he doesn't get to the line. If you keot him in the SL with Deuce who also needs shots how does that work? Hart doean't need shots.

Sent from my SM-S9080 using RealGM mobile app

I disagree that he contributes nothing. When we had Deuce guarding the POA, Mikal was playing pretty great defense as a wing patroller. He also provides spacing, shooting from the corners, and a tertiary playmaker.

The question is if that outweighs what Josh brings. Josh brings a ton of value and versatility, some of which overlap with Mikal, but he prevents you from playing 5 out.

Josh and Mikal are essentially playing different flavors of the same role and that may be preventing us from maximizing both.

Deuce mostly scores off spot ups. He gets shots without needing the ball and he guards the POA better than anyone else on the team. He slides Mikal back into his more natural defensive role. He's just small.

That's a fair counter. Either way, Deuce in the SL makes some sense to me and then if you keep Mikal there you have him in more of a playmaking role. With that said, what OG has been showing lately... we need to build on that.

I do see our SL as being TOO top heavy though. We need some guys who can act as outlets and dominate the defensive end. Which describes Deuce perfectly. It's the Mark Agguire v Adrian Dantley problem.

[HarthorneWingo]

WELL GEEE I DINDT KNOW!!!

I’m talking about when we are healthy, you need to start Mitch and deuce
And have hart and Mikal come off the bench
It balances the lineup in every way possible, but we haven’t seen any of that, and he won’t even try it with Mitch and Kat for extended time.

Right! Bring a $50 million off the bench.

Look at Red Holzman here.

If you pair Mitch and kat, you cover for Kat’s defensive deficiencies
Then you obviously play OG and JB to start
Now for the 2 spot, deuce is just a flat out better point of attack defender and works better than Mikal in the backcourt

This means Mikal and Hart off the bench with precious and Kolek or Delon + Shamet

It works, but he won’t do it, he’s too afraid

Well, the reality is that Deuce will go back to the bench.

I could imagine seeing Mitch in the starting lineup come the playoffs. Does anyone know what our ratings are with Mitch and Towns in the lineup?

[JBreezeNY]

It's Mikal. He doesn't actually contribute anything as a starter. With JB back he would be the 4th option in the offence and if he isn't getting the ball he soesn't do anything at all. He soesn't rebound, he doesn't playmake, he doesn't get to the line. If you keot him in the SL with Deuce who also needs shots how does that work? Hart doean't need shots.

Sent from my SM-S9080 using RealGM mobile app

I disagree that he contributes nothing. When we had Deuce guarding the POA, Mikal was playing pretty great defense as a wing patroller. He also provides spacing, shooting from the corners, and a tertiary playmaker.

The question is if that outweighs what Josh brings. Josh brings a ton of value and versatility, some of which overlap with Mikal, but he prevents you from playing 5 out.

Josh and Mikal are essentially playing different flavors of the same role and that may be preventing us from maximizing both.

Deuce mostly scores off spot ups. He gets shots without needing the ball and he guards the POA better than anyone else on the team. He slides Mikal back into his more natural defensive role. He's just small.

That's a fair counter. Either way, Deuce in the SL makes some sense to me and then if you keep Mikal there you have him in more of a playmaking role. With that said, what OG has been showing lately... we need to build on that.

I do see our SL as being TOO top heavy though. We need some guys who can act as outlets and dominate the defensive end. Which describes Deuce perfectly. It's the Mark Agguire v Adrian Dantley problem.

I’m curious what you and GO’s thoughts are on KAT and Hart coming off the bench to balance the team a little more.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Mitch and Deuce replacing Mikal/Hart as first subs could be all that he needs to do. No one gets their feelings hurt. The bench depth just got really good. Win win.

Brunson/Deuce/OG/KAT/Mitch
Mikal/Hart are now free to mix and match with whatever works after that. Do something different.

[Jalen Bluntson]

I disagree that he contributes nothing. When we had Deuce guarding the POA, Mikal was playing pretty great defense as a wing patroller. He also provides spacing, shooting from the corners, and a tertiary playmaker.

The question is if that outweighs what Josh brings. Josh brings a ton of value and versatility, some of which overlap with Mikal, but he prevents you from playing 5 out.

Josh and Mikal are essentially playing different flavors of the same role and that may be preventing us from maximizing both.

Deuce mostly scores off spot ups. He gets shots without needing the ball and he guards the POA better than anyone else on the team. He slides Mikal back into his more natural defensive role. He's just small.

That's a fair counter. Either way, Deuce in the SL makes some sense to me and then if you keep Mikal there you have him in more of a playmaking role. With that said, what OG has been showing lately... we need to build on that.

I do see our SL as being TOO top heavy though. We need some guys who can act as outlets and dominate the defensive end. Which describes Deuce perfectly. It's the Mark Agguire v Adrian Dantley problem.

I’m curious what you and GO’s thoughts are on KAT and Hart coming off the bench to balance the team a little more.

It will never happen and doesn't really have to. Just stagger the lineups properly. Stop the cookie cutter rotations. Mix it up. Thibs is terrible at this.

[Capn'O]

I disagree that he contributes nothing. When we had Deuce guarding the POA, Mikal was playing pretty great defense as a wing patroller. He also provides spacing, shooting from the corners, and a tertiary playmaker.

The question is if that outweighs what Josh brings. Josh brings a ton of value and versatility, some of which overlap with Mikal, but he prevents you from playing 5 out.

Josh and Mikal are essentially playing different flavors of the same role and that may be preventing us from maximizing both.

Deuce mostly scores off spot ups. He gets shots without needing the ball and he guards the POA better than anyone else on the team. He slides Mikal back into his more natural defensive role. He's just small.

That's a fair counter. Either way, Deuce in the SL makes some sense to me and then if you keep Mikal there you have him in more of a playmaking role. With that said, what OG has been showing lately... we need to build on that.

I do see our SL as being TOO top heavy though. We need some guys who can act as outlets and dominate the defensive end. Which describes Deuce perfectly. It's the Mark Agguire v Adrian Dantley problem.

I’m curious what you and GO’s thoughts are on KAT and Hart coming off the bench to balance the team a little more.

Hart yes.

KAT... I understand why you're asking but if he's on the bench you might as well trade him. That's a lot of offensive prowess to leave hanging.

With our current squad I think you could maximize with:

Brunson
Deuce
OG
KAT
Mitch

Kolek
Mikal
Hart

With KAT eating some C minutes and OG eating some PF minutes. Then others like Wright and Precious filling in any gaps.

[Jalen Bluntson]

That's a fair counter. Either way, Deuce in the SL makes some sense to me and then if you keep Mikal there you have him in more of a playmaking role. With that said, what OG has been showing lately... we need to build on that.

I do see our SL as being TOO top heavy though. We need some guys who can act as outlets and dominate the defensive end. Which describes Deuce perfectly. It's the Mark Agguire v Adrian Dantley problem.

I’m curious what you and GO’s thoughts are on KAT and Hart coming off the bench to balance the team a little more.

Hart yes.

KAT... I understand why you're asking but if he's on the bench you might as well trade him. That's a lot of offensive prowess to leave hanging.

With our current squad I think you could maximize with:

Brunson
Deuce
OG
KAT
Mitch

Kolek
Mikal
Hart

With KAT eating some C minutes and OG eating some PF minutes. Then others like Wright and Precious filling in any gaps.

This. He needs to stagger his rotation to balance out things at the very least. It is not that difficult. Mitch eventually needs to start first and foremost. Even 20-24mpg he still needs to play alongside KAT for some of that if it is working matchup wise. It makes us deeper. You gotta play at least three bench guys 25mpg MINUMUM somehow. Figure it out.

[GONYK]

I disagree that he contributes nothing. When we had Deuce guarding the POA, Mikal was playing pretty great defense as a wing patroller. He also provides spacing, shooting from the corners, and a tertiary playmaker.

The question is if that outweighs what Josh brings. Josh brings a ton of value and versatility, some of which overlap with Mikal, but he prevents you from playing 5 out.

Josh and Mikal are essentially playing different flavors of the same role and that may be preventing us from maximizing both.

Deuce mostly scores off spot ups. He gets shots without needing the ball and he guards the POA better than anyone else on the team. He slides Mikal back into his more natural defensive role. He's just small.

That's a fair counter. Either way, Deuce in the SL makes some sense to me and then if you keep Mikal there you have him in more of a playmaking role. With that said, what OG has been showing lately... we need to build on that.

I do see our SL as being TOO top heavy though. We need some guys who can act as outlets and dominate the defensive end. Which describes Deuce perfectly. It's the Mark Agguire v Adrian Dantley problem.

I’m curious what you and GO’s thoughts are on KAT and Hart coming off the bench to balance the team a little more.

Hart should come off the bench if he won't shoot. Not as a punishment, but because he fills so many gaps that you can sub him in 2-4 and have very little drop off. His minutes won't even change that much, but he won't be overlapping with other people in the SL. He can come in and give you 80-85% of what the person he's subbing in for brings. As it stands right now, his impact on our floor spacing is like having a Mitch out there without Mitch's rim protection.

If KAT comes off the bench, everyone should be fired. The only reason to trade for KAT is have him be your starting 5. I don't even want him starting alongside Mitch, because then you don't get the benefit of 5 out and the other team can just guard him with a wing.

KAT's flaws are being put under a spotlight because he's the last line of defense. The layers that stop the opponent from getting to him also have weaknesses. We can compensate for KAT's weaknesses by either playing more switch or improving at the point of attack, but he's a complete game wrecker as a 5, from an offensive standpoint, and we've seen that play out a number of times during the season.

Mikal is not working out as a POA defender and we have not adjusted to that. It's not surprising because that was never the best use of his skills. When Deuce was our POA defender and Mikal and OG flooded the wings, we were a top 10 defense, even with KAT at the 5.

I think there is enough evidence to say that a few corrections can mitigate any player's flaws. Thibs has elected not to experiment with those corrections at this time.

[sol537]

I’m curious what you and GO’s thoughts are on KAT and Hart coming off the bench to balance the team a little more.

Hart yes.

KAT... I understand why you're asking but if he's on the bench you might as well trade him. That's a lot of offensive prowess to leave hanging.

With our current squad I think you could maximize with:

Brunson
Deuce
OG
KAT
Mitch

Kolek
Mikal
Hart

With KAT eating some C minutes and OG eating some PF minutes. Then others like Wright and Precious filling in any gaps.

This. He needs to stagger his rotation to balance out things at the very least. It is not that difficult. Mitch eventually needs to start first and foremost. Even 20-24mpg he still needs to play alongside KAT for some of that if it is working matchup wise. It makes us deeper. You gotta play at least three bench guys 25mpg MINUMUM somehow. Figure it out.

Thibs is not going to take Hart out of the starting line-up, much less KAT or Bridges. It's partially politics and it's partially stubbornness.

He's gonna ride or die with his guys (Hart).... in this case, he's not gonna survive past this summer IMO. Boston will make sure of it.