Game 12: MEM vs NYK

[VCfor3]

NYK has looked good this year. Will be a tough game. If we play like we did most of the first half against OKC, we got this. If we play like we did the second half we are in for a long night.

[Cubboo]

I'm gonna go ahead and call it. Time for a new head coach, if Kleinman isn't down with that, time for a new GM. I respect taking a new approach, but to stick with it despite a team that is disgruntled, fans that are disgruntled, and really really really poor basketball, is a job ending move.
If there is not a change in coaching philosophy beginning the next game, its time to cut our losses now and go get a proven head coach. And I'm not talking about changing the starting lineup, I'm talking about a change in offensive philosophy.
The offense is trash.

In the past I have stuck with Santi, because he has flashes of great plays. No longer. It is now trying to navigate through a huge dark warehouse with a camera flash. helps for a second, but pretty much useless in reality.

I've got more to say, but stopping here for now.
Because I'm about to hurt some feelings with my takes on some of the more popular players.

[jefe]

I'm with Cubboo. If the players (and it's more than Ja at this point) aren't going to play for Iisalo, then he's not the guy. The only issue is that Kleiman removed the interim tag without interviewing any other candidates, so Kleiman's job security to some degree is likely tied to Iisalo's job security. To put it another way, Kleiman is incentivized to see if Iisalo can right the ship. If this carries on for too long though, they both may end up going down with the ship. The last time that Pera cleaned house, he did it shortly after the regular season ended. The circumstances were quite different then though.

[VCfor3]

Clearly winning the 4th was nice but the turnovers were brutal this game. 22 turnovers (with 13 from Ja+JJJ) led to 33 points for the Knicks, roughly a fourth of their total points. I don't think coach is going anywhere soon. They will want to give him a chance with a few more players back before cutting bait I bet after the FO said this was their guy and skipped a true coaching search.

I've got more to say, but stopping here for now.
Because I'm about to hurt some feelings with my takes on some of the more popular players.

I mean right now there is no one on the team above strong criticism aside from maybe Coward since he is a rookie, but even he deserves a mention for his poor shooting the last two games. He hustles and finds ways to help even when his shot isn't falling though.

Coach - He has to adjust and find a way to get people on board again. Things looked pretty good against a horrible Dallas team and the first half of the OKC game, but this is a tough road trip and if he doesn't figure something out quick we may be looking at 4-11. Still a lot of season left and we then have a stretch with some easier teams while hopefully getting some guys back from injury, but 4-11 with both of your two stars is unacceptable if you are wanting to be a competitive playoff team.

Ja - I know his back is acting up right now and that has been a big reason his shots haven't been falling (if he shots roughly 50% against OKC we win), but the turnovers are brutal and he completely quit in a very winnable game against LAL because his feelings were hurt. He is putting in effort now, but it is the effort you put in at a 9-5 when trying to collect a paycheck. He is expected to be the leader of the team on and off the court but that's been spotty at best.

JJJ - Too many games he has been a glorified role player instead of a top 2 player on the team.

Santi - He giveth and he taketh away. He has probably had the most flashy plays this year, both good and bad. He has had some brutal turnovers this year and is averaging the most turnovers of his career. He is also shooting 30% from three which hopefully will regress to the mean soon as his shooting and offense is supposed to be one of his biggest positives. He can block fairly well but his paint defense outside that is rough and we are forcing him to play PF/C.

Cam Spencer - Honestly he has been more or less what he should be. An end of the bench gunner shooting 45% from deep who will struggle on defense. When the team is healthy you would hope he is an occasional spark off the bench in limited minutes who may not even see the floor some games.

Will finish here later.