Knicks players & coaches frustrated with KAT's defense

[cgf]

I honestly like this one better than Giannis who would take more to get - more than we have, really - and then not provide the spacing around Brunson.

I have my reservations about that one, but if Kolek can take over the no-Brunson minutes by the playoffs, maybe our offense can withstand that downgrade to put just an unreal defense around our little PGs.

Agreed about liking it more than paying more for Giannis…though I think I’d rather just run it back and sign an 8th man like Laravia / Tate / Brown with the MLE, before dangling Dadiet to upgrade Hukporti.

Throw the MLE at Tyus Jones

If we want a backup PG teams can pick on defensively, who can organize the offense when Jalen sits, then let's just lock Kolek in the gym until he can consistent hit 3s against NBAers

I like Jones as a player, but I'd much rather grab a wing that thibs would trust with 20+ mpg.

[dakomish23]

I have my reservations about that one, but if Kolek can take over the no-Brunson minutes by the playoffs, maybe our offense can withstand that downgrade to put just an unreal defense around our little PGs.

Agreed about liking it more than paying more for Giannis…though I think I’d rather just run it back and sign an 8th man like Laravia / Tate / Brown with the MLE, before dangling Dadiet to upgrade Hukporti.

Throw the MLE at Tyus Jones

If we want a backup PG teams can pick on defensively, who can organize the offense when Jalen sits, then let's just lock Kolek in the gym until he can consistent hit 3s against NBAers

I like Jones as a player, but I'd much rather grab a wing that thibs would trust with 20+ mpg and a backup rim protector to give us the option of starting Mitch full time.

Tyus is a guy I think Thibs would trust

[cgf]

I can't believe people are talking about AD like he will be available for the yoffs or more than half the season.

That's what people said about an Anunoby-Towns-Robinson frontcourt...yet all three started game 6 for us against Indiana

The health makes me worry about pursuing AD...especially given our history with McDyess, Amar'e, Kristaps, and Randle in recent years...but injury prones guys aren't always injured.

[cgf]

Throw the MLE at Tyus Jones

If we want a backup PG teams can pick on defensively, who can organize the offense when Jalen sits, then let's just lock Kolek in the gym until he can consistent hit 3s against NBAers

I like Jones as a player, but I'd much rather grab a wing that thibs would trust with 20+ mpg and a backup rim protector to give us the option of starting Mitch full time.

Tyus is a guy I think Thibs would trust

I think thibs would like him, but what would he solve? He's not playing next to Jalen, so he's almost certainly just helping us in those 10-15mpg that Brunson rests. And given his defensive issues, how much of an upgrade over Kolek or Wright would he be? Whereas...despite being very excited to see a full season of McCullar...I think someone like Laravia / Brown / Tate could help us grind teams down and keep all of our wings fresh.

[mg]

After all the flak Nico took for dealing Luka does anyone seriously believe he would trade AD who was the main piece he got in that deal? My guess is no. He made such a big deal about wanting "defensive" players I don't see him touching KAT.

[cgf]

After all the flak Nico took for dealing Luka does anyone seriously believe he would trade AD who was the main piece he got in that deal? My guess is no. He made such a big deal about wanting "defensive" players I don't see him touching KAT.

Flagg changes things. He can say that Karl would help create space for Cooper and with Lively/Gafford & Flagg/Washington they'd have great defenders to surround Towns with.

[Memories]

Jeez. Coming after a guy who just had his best regular season ever. At year 1 with the Knicks.

I really don’t think he’s the problem but that’s just me.

He's not the problem but his help defense is part of the problem. On offense, he provides a lot of solutions.

I agree, it’s just the way this seems to be framed is that if the Knicks got rid of KAT, they would suddenly be a much better team and would have went to the Finals.

Which would be an absurd take and judging by how this was the best season for the Knicks since 2000, I would say he makes the team BETTER.

Now changing coaches? That’s what the Knicks should do. Not trading Kat.

[cgf]

Jeez. Coming after a guy who just had his best regular season ever. At year 1 with the Knicks.

I really don’t think he’s the problem but that’s just me.

He's not the problem but his help defense is part of the problem. On offense, he provides a lot of solutions.

I agree, it’s just the way this seems to be framed is that if the Knicks got rid of KAT, they would suddenly be a much better team and would have went to the Finals.

Which would be an absurd take and judging by how this was the best season for the Knicks since 2000, I would say he makes the team BETTER.

Now changing coaches? That’s what the Knicks should do. Not trading Kat.

If we could get Finch, Carlisle, or Spo, then sure. But who are you bringing in this summer that's better than Thibs has become and who's as liked by the lockerroom? Especially with our FO having an offseason to bolster our depth, what depth we do have not (almost) all entering the season injured, and our kids developing for another year.

[Capn'O]

Jeez. Coming after a guy who just had his best regular season ever. At year 1 with the Knicks.

I really don’t think he’s the problem but that’s just me.

He's not the problem but his help defense is part of the problem. On offense, he provides a lot of solutions.

I agree, it’s just the way this seems to be framed is that if the Knicks got rid of KAT, they would suddenly be a much better team and would have went to the Finals.

Which would be an absurd take and judging by how this was the best season for the Knicks since 2000, I would say he makes the team BETTER.

Now changing coaches? That’s what the Knicks should do. Not trading Kat.

Oh for sure. We're a lot better with him than without him.

[Memories]

He's not the problem but his help defense is part of the problem. On offense, he provides a lot of solutions.

I agree, it’s just the way this seems to be framed is that if the Knicks got rid of KAT, they would suddenly be a much better team and would have went to the Finals.

Which would be an absurd take and judging by how this was the best season for the Knicks since 2000, I would say he makes the team BETTER.

Now changing coaches? That’s what the Knicks should do. Not trading Kat.

If we could get Finch, Carlisle, or Spo, then sure. But who are you bringing in this summer that's better than Thibs has become and who's as liked by the lockerroom? Especially with our FO having an offseason to bolster our depth, what depth we do have not (almost) all entering the season injured, and our kids developing for another year.

Mike Malone? He literally screams next Knicks coach and a championship level coach at that.

Even without him, there is many great coaches in the market. Better now than ever honestly.

[Raps in 4]

I agree, it’s just the way this seems to be framed is that if the Knicks got rid of KAT, they would suddenly be a much better team and would have went to the Finals.

Which would be an absurd take and judging by how this was the best season for the Knicks since 2000, I would say he makes the team BETTER.

Now changing coaches? That’s what the Knicks should do. Not trading Kat.

If we could get Finch, Carlisle, or Spo, then sure. But who are you bringing in this summer that's better than Thibs has become and who's as liked by the lockerroom? Especially with our FO having an offseason to bolster our depth, what depth we do have not (almost) all entering the season injured, and our kids developing for another year.

Mike Malone? He literally screams next Knicks coach and a championship level coach at that.

Even without him, there is many great coaches in the market. Better now than ever honestly.

Mike Malone is a championship level coach because of Jokic. I don't think he's a better coach than Thibs at all. They're both solid, but I have them in the same tier.

[Texas Chuck]

After all the flak Nico took for dealing Luka does anyone seriously believe he would trade AD who was the main piece he got in that deal? My guess is no. He made such a big deal about wanting "defensive" players I don't see him touching KAT.

Flagg changes things. He can say that Karl would help create space for Cooper and with Lively/Gafford & Flagg/Washington they'd have great defenders to surround Towns with.

You can't trade Luka for Towns. Even with a step in between and NY doesn't have enough sweeteners. But let's pretend NY could find the value, Harrison has shown he's a guy completely unwilling to acknowledge mistakes. He will die on the AD hill. Now let's pretend Harrison was just a fever dream and Donnie Nelson got re-hired today. He could look at the team with honest eyes, see the opportunity Flagg represents and he wouldn't worry about sunk costs or past mistakes(he never did with his own.)

But that's not the case so when you combine poor value with stubborn GM, there is no path here even if you try and talk yourself into a semblance of an explanation for Dallas.

[DusterBuster]

Very good comparison.

Rasheed is an excellent one.

Thank you

Sheed was an excellent defender though

Yes, for Detroit he was.
I would never refer to his defense as excellent tho. He was a system player, a sluggish effort on Portland, and on the Pistons he knew to take things serious with Ben Wallace & Larry Brown.

HMFFL confirmed 40+ year old lol.

Totally totally accurate tho. Sheed only was a good defender when he was on a squad of 3 other solid defenders and a great defensive minded coach.

In Portland he was an OK defender during the Dunleavy coached teams, the was arguably a bad defender under Cheeks before he finally got traded… and he just straight up mailing it in by the 2003 season when he was finally moved.

[Memories]

If we could get Finch, Carlisle, or Spo, then sure. But who are you bringing in this summer that's better than Thibs has become and who's as liked by the lockerroom? Especially with our FO having an offseason to bolster our depth, what depth we do have not (almost) all entering the season injured, and our kids developing for another year.

Mike Malone? He literally screams next Knicks coach and a championship level coach at that.

Even without him, there is many great coaches in the market. Better now than ever honestly.

Mike Malone is a championship level coach because of Jokic. I don't think he's a better coach than Thibs at all. They're both solid, but I have them in the same tier.

I freaking told yall.

Now the Knicks will hire Mike Malone.

[Wingy]

Mike Malone? He literally screams next Knicks coach and a championship level coach at that.

Even without him, there is many great coaches in the market. Better now than ever honestly.

Mike Malone is a championship level coach because of Jokic. I don't think he's a better coach than Thibs at all. They're both solid, but I have them in the same tier.

I freaking told yall.

Now the Knicks will hire Mike Malone.

Raps in 4 is still right. Jokic would make quite a few guys a “championship level coach.”

[Ssj16]

Mike Malone? He literally screams next Knicks coach and a championship level coach at that.

Even without him, there is many great coaches in the market. Better now than ever honestly.

Mike Malone is a championship level coach because of Jokic. I don't think he's a better coach than Thibs at all. They're both solid, but I have them in the same tier.

I freaking told yall.

Now the Knicks will hire Mike Malone.

You could very well be right but this is a lateral move, imo. One thing I will say about Malone is that he was good at coaching a vet team and at least the Knicks are a seasoned team.

[dhsilv2]

If we could get Finch, Carlisle, or Spo, then sure. But who are you bringing in this summer that's better than Thibs has become and who's as liked by the lockerroom? Especially with our FO having an offseason to bolster our depth, what depth we do have not (almost) all entering the season injured, and our kids developing for another year.

Mike Malone? He literally screams next Knicks coach and a championship level coach at that.

Even without him, there is many great coaches in the market. Better now than ever honestly.

Mike Malone is a championship level coach because of Jokic. I don't think he's a better coach than Thibs at all. They're both solid, but I have them in the same tier.

Would agree with this, but if you want to try a different style of coach, he's certainly a way to mix things up and hopefully get the team working together. He also doesn't build defenses around everyone perfectly executing.

[shrink]

As a MIN fan, I’ve seen KAT play under many coaches, including Thibs.

If a coach plays Towns as a center, there are tremendous offensive advantages, but it doesn’t fit with his mindset defensively. KAT isn’t a lazy defender - he’s overly eager. If you park him underneath in drop coverage, and he sees a perimeter player barreling a towards the rim, he wants to step out and challenge him. Unfortunately, coming out against NBA quality drivers wrecks the defensive scheme, and a quick pass leads to a score. KAT has always been unable, or unwilling, to lie back in drop.

When MIN added Gobert, most people thought there was no way Towns could play with Rudy, where Chris Finch had KAT playing more perimeter 4, with those giant size 20 feet of his. While he was never a good defender, Towns did admirably in that role, a role that fits his defensively aggressive personality. He’ll never be great at it, but he wasn’t as bad as he was at center.

I’ve always believed that good defense in the NBA comes from “want to.” Thibs forced him back into drop coverage, which he never liked - Finch let him play some four. We saw Jokic started as a poor defender, until Malone asked him where he wanted to play, and up top he is much better. Will a new coach will adopt Finch’s style if Mitchell Robinson becomes more of a factor?

[ITYSL]

I bought some ketchup the other day, and when I put it on my hotdog, I was frustrated that it wasn't mustard.