PG Knicks - Great Second Half Led by Defense

[Prez]

Look at my GOAT

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[-Jragon-]

Let Giannis be the focal point and surround him with a bunch of solid role players.

It's interesting..
Seems to be certain guys like this.

Shaq and Kobe figured it out
Steph and LeBron need another star generally
But Luka, Dame, Giannis seem like they need that focal point

[BroncoBuck]

I said it the other day, but I don’t really want to see Khris on this team. This was a playoff level game and I can’t imagine him running around with our guys out there like they were tonight (in stark contrast to him and CJ nuking the Wizards tonight…). He can go to an older team like the Clippers.

[drew881]

What is Rollins max upside?

He just turned 23 fwiw.

Jrue Holiday type of impact player.

nah, Jrue was truly special at his peak. he could guard so many different types of players and he had a very polished offensive game considering how good he was on defense. there's a lot of real estate between an average two way nba player and Jrue. Ryan could get up there but he's not touching Jrue.

Rollins has the disruptive reach that Jrue has. KPJ has the knack at getting the ball in all the 50/50 situations like Jrue has. Jrue was like a soccer player that goes right into the defender’s space or loose ball situation and come up with it vs. the players who sit around and wait for the ball.

[Dick Tate]

Yeah, I’m starting them together. KPJ and Rollins are our two guys with the most unknown upside and give us the highest ceiling. And they both fit the mold of the modern nba and the identity we’re going for - athletic two way guys that can play with pace.

KPJ/Cole
Rollins/Trent
Green/Prince
Giannis/Kuz
Turner/Bobby/Sims

Yes. I like the idea of the vet min guys coming off the bench. Trent runs hot and cold. Have him be the 7th-8th man and get some good feeds from Anthony.

[Packbuckman]

I am all in starting KPJ Rollins together with GTJ or AJ at the 3 and Giannis Turner as our starting 5

[drdrG]

Said it at the beginning of the year. Rollins is the best overall player of GTJ and AJG.

My preference is to play KPJ/Rollins/AJG as the backcourt and bring GTJ off the bench. With Anthony playing, we still have had good shot creation off the bench.

Don't sneeze at KPJ defensively either. Remember the 4th quarter comeback against Minnesota last year. KPJ was creating havoc. Rollins and KPJ can convert defense to offense themselves and have the added benefit of getting Giannis running in transition.

[paulpressey25]

Cole Anthony had nine assists tonight. And at a +1 was the only positive bench player in -/+.

Somehow we’ve haven’t discussed this. Cole Anthony in Orlando was a black hole. On this team he’s meaningfully adjusted his game.

[soxperry]

Cole Anthony had nine assists tonight. And at a +1 was the only positive bench player in -/+.

Somehow we’ve haven’t discussed this. Cole Anthony in Orlando was a black hole. On this team he’s meaningfully adjusted his game.

lol what??? i did not realize that. he's definitely a more gifted passer than we are used to having on this team.

[soxperry]

yeah, i've let it marinate and i've basically decided we need to start KPJ and Rollins together. Has to happen. People lauding Rollins' defense need to remember how good KPJ can be on D as well. And it wasn't just that Minnesota game.

I know we all love AJ and Trent but if you can somehow plug in a real wing who is a two way player at the starting 3, that is an amazing defensive unit.

[Prez]

Rollins' ceiling is a real interesting discussion to me, dude only just now crossed the 1000 minute mark in his NBA career and spent most of his offseason rehabbing his shoulder and not doing actual basketball stuff til August, and yet he's still leveling up this year. This kid might have yet another level or two in him. Which is dope as hell given we have him on a 3 year deal lol

[tydett]

Rollins' ceiling is a real interesting discussion to me, dude only just now crossed the 1000 minute mark in his NBA career and spent most of his offseason rehabbing his shoulder and not doing actual basketball stuff til August, and yet he's still leveling up this year. This kid might have yet another level or two in him. Which is dope as hell given we have him on a 3 year deal lol

Last year PO though, the Horst special.

[tonyreyes123]

I was at the game it was fun

[MickeyDavis]

Doc gets some credit here (blasphemy I know). From last year's opening game we have 3 new starters and a revamped bench (Horst gets credit as well). And he has guys buying into their new roles. That doesn't mean there won't be bumps along the way. And some decisions will backfire. But so far so good Doc.

[drew881]

I’m fine starting KPJ and giving big minutes to Rollings/Anthony pair off the bench. In games where Dairy and Trent aren’t hitting, it will be easy to give them a quick leash.

[drew881]

When KPJ comes back, I’m really interested how much we need Bobby’s offense. We might be better with Sims taking a lot of his minutes and being a better rebounding team.

[HKPackFan]

What a refreshing view of witnessing the defense come alive.

That has the essence of champion level defense. Would love to see if it can actually come together.

Giannis insane signature blocks look so much grander when the rest of the team is also putting on the pressure.

Giannis, Turner create a foundation then these young guards hustling and making life miserable for the other team.

I saw contributions from Kuz and Bobby picking it up as well.

Aj green took an awesome charge from KAT, to give kat his 5th foul with 4 minutes left in the game. That was a really big play in that moment.



The takeaway from the second half... NO EASY BUCKETS.

Knicks had to work hard for every single shot.

It was so fun to see that after that identity faded away 2-3 years ago.

[skbucks1985]

Cole Anthony had nine assists tonight. And at a +1 was the only positive bench player in -/+.

Somehow we’ve haven’t discussed this. Cole Anthony in Orlando was a black hole. On this team he’s meaningfully adjusted his game.

I know Doc is a punching bag and a lot of it is very justifiable, but this is his biggest strength as a coach. Getting players to buy into being the version of themselves that puts the team in the best position to be successful.

[HKPackFan]

I've watched one half of basketball this season, besides highlights, but this half got me excited.


If this is a sign of things to come, with a defense like this, and giannis being the actual Best player in the right now, this team can make a deep run.

[Balls2TheWalls]

Cole Anthony had nine assists tonight. And at a +1 was the only positive bench player in -/+.

Somehow we’ve haven’t discussed this. Cole Anthony in Orlando was a black hole. On this team he’s meaningfully adjusted his game.

His 2 man game has been something else since joining the Bucks. I don't remember another guard creating so many dunk opportunities for Giannis off of the 2 man game. Really impressed with this game so far. Him being sick is a big reason we lost to the Cavs.