Kristaps Porziņģis activated

[Archx]

Luka and KP will be able to utilize the pick and pop and pick and roll plays more than Luka was able to with Deandre. Having someone like KP who could sag all the way to the 3 point line adds a different dimension. Deandre doesnt have a 3 point shot so the defense can just park the bus in the paint and make it difficult for Doncic to operate.

You're saying like DAJ was good at PnR game. He was average at best. Powell & Luka do it much better. DAJ was just lazy as hell. He was able to provide good screens though but that was basically it. Luka played best PnR game with EU centers.
KP is on a whole different level. He can literally roll to any side or to anywhere he wants on the floor. He's a very good shooter and is explosive enough to get to the rim easily. Should be a joy to watch those 2 working together.

I also wouldn't mind if they resign Barnes for 10M and let him be a spot up shooter like he was suppose to be already this year. He's not good at running the offense since he is tunnel visioning everything, so he could be a nice 3rd or 4th option.

[dirkforpres]

The question is how many games can this new team without KP win in the first place? The difference between 11th and 7th from the bottom might be only few wins. The question is, is winning few games more really worth the odds for top4 pick dropping from 32%(7th) to 9.5%(11th)?

I assume the team will be about the same as it was before the trade. Brunson has played as well as Smith has this season, Matthews and Hardaway pretty much cancel each other out, and I personally think Kleber fits into the system better than Deandre did when he was here, considering DJ was a statue on defense. It’ll definitely be a faster team now.. but whether that translates to wins or not remains to be seen. I still expect us to finish around the 35-38 win range and I’d say that’s worth losing the pick over. This draft only goes about 6 or 7 deep from the looks of it anyway so let’s just get the Atlanta burden over with

If the team without KP is the same as before, than Mavs are even bigger winners. They have got KP basically for nothing in that case. Imho people underestimate DAJ’s positive influence because of his great rebounding and some positive influence of DSJ.

We got Porzingis for 2 firsts essentially. Kyrie will be a Knick and negate Smith being there since DSJ can’t play off the ball and Wes/Deandre are bench players at this stage in their careers. Carlisle being forced to start younger guys like Kleber/DFS/Hardaway will be a blessing in disguise for the Mavs

[Bob8]

I assume the team will be about the same as it was before the trade. Brunson has played as well as Smith has this season, Matthews and Hardaway pretty much cancel each other out, and I personally think Kleber fits into the system better than Deandre did when he was here, considering DJ was a statue on defense. It’ll definitely be a faster team now.. but whether that translates to wins or not remains to be seen. I still expect us to finish around the 35-38 win range and I’d say that’s worth losing the pick over. This draft only goes about 6 or 7 deep from the looks of it anyway so let’s just get the Atlanta burden over with

If the team without KP is the same as before, than Mavs are even bigger winners. They have got KP basically for nothing in that case. Imho people underestimate DAJ’s positive influence because of his great rebounding and some positive influence of DSJ.

We got Porzingis for 2 firsts essentially. Kyrie will be a Knick and negate Smith being there since DSJ can’t play off the ball and Wes/Deandre are bench players at this stage in their careers. Carlisle being forced to start younger guys like Kleber/DFS/Hardaway will be a blessing in disguise for the Mavs

2 late first, if KP’s knee is o.k. That would have been incredible trade for Mavs.
Great, but I still like 4.5% odds for Zion or 32% for good prospect on a rookie scale.

[arkuo]

Luka and KP will be able to utilize the pick and pop and pick and roll plays more than Luka was able to with Deandre. Having someone like KP who could sag all the way to the 3 point line adds a different dimension. Deandre doesnt have a 3 point shot so the defense can just park the bus in the paint and make it difficult for Doncic to operate.

You're saying like DAJ was good at PnR game. He was average at best. Powell & Luka do it much better. DAJ was just lazy as hell. He was able to provide good screens though but that was basically it. Luka played best PnR game with EU centers.
KP is on a whole different level. He can literally roll to any side or to anywhere he wants on the floor. He's a very good shooter and is explosive enough to get to the rim easily. Should be a joy to watch those 2 working together.

I also wouldn't mind if they resign Barnes for 10M and let him be a spot up shooter like he was suppose to be already this year. He's not good at running the offense since he is tunnel visioning everything, so he could be a nice 3rd or 4th option.

Read it again. I said luka will be able to utilize the pick and pop and pick and roll plays more with KP than with DJ.

[Archx]

Luka and KP will be able to utilize the pick and pop and pick and roll plays more than Luka was able to with Deandre. Having someone like KP who could sag all the way to the 3 point line adds a different dimension. Deandre doesnt have a 3 point shot so the defense can just park the bus in the paint and make it difficult for Doncic to operate.

You're saying like DAJ was good at PnR game. He was average at best. Powell & Luka do it much better. DAJ was just lazy as hell. He was able to provide good screens though but that was basically it. Luka played best PnR game with EU centers.
KP is on a whole different level. He can literally roll to any side or to anywhere he wants on the floor. He's a very good shooter and is explosive enough to get to the rim easily. Should be a joy to watch those 2 working together.

I also wouldn't mind if they resign Barnes for 10M and let him be a spot up shooter like he was suppose to be already this year. He's not good at running the offense since he is tunnel visioning everything, so he could be a nice 3rd or 4th option.

Read it again. I said luka will be able to utilize the pick and pop and pick and roll plays more with KP than with DJ.

Yeah, didn't read it correctly. You're right.

[ndee1234]

They're baaaaaack

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[Masterfully]

Splashy is the most accurate word to describe the Knicks. Jim Dolan never wants to compete for a championship. All he wants is to be the biggest clickbait on earth and make money off of it. The Knicks never have a clear direction about anything but making money and staying relevant on NY tabloids. A star player who wants to win can never get along with that type of constant dysfunction.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but if they win the Zion sweepstakes and bring in two free agents (2 of Irving, Durant, Thompson, Butler, Leonard, etc) they will be splashy and good overnight. That’s a lot of ifs.

[J_T]

I might be a bit tougher on the Knicks now than I was when I heard about the trade.

Fizdale was not at Thursday’s meeting that Mills and general manager Scott Perry initiated with Porzingis. Labeling Porzingis’ stance as demanding a trade is overstating matters. Mills put Porzingis on the spot, saying he needed a commitment from him for the long-term future because of the Feb. 7 trade deadline. Porzingis wouldn’t give one, and one thing led to another.

1. It was not Porzingis who asked for the meeting, that much is clear.

2. Porzingis didn't ask for a trade. We can't be certain one way or another but I can't really find credible sources saying that he did ask for a trade. I can however find many sources saying that he didn't ask for a trade.

3. Porzingis was seemingly backed into a corner by Mills/Perry when they asked him to commit to the organisation. They had to know that Porzingis was not happy and they hadn't done ANYTHING to prove to him that the organisation itself is committed to winning any time soon.

Basically they knew the answer they were going to get. And they still asked the question. This smells. It looks to me like they wanted this to happen so that they could be absolved of blame when they pulled the trigger. I read today that one NBA exec believes that Knicks were told that Durant wants to join them.

[J_T]

I wasn't aware of this so it might be interesting to someone else...

https://nypost.com/2018/05/16/kristaps-porzingis-knicks-relationship-gets-stranger-with-spain-rehab/

Kristaps Porzingis has not been doing most of his ACL rehab in Latvia as previously thought, but secretly working in Spain with Real Madrid, according to multiple sources.

Real Madrid’s basketball team is in the Final Four of the EuroLeague and features top-three lottery pick Luka Doncic [...] Unless the Knicks trade up from the No. 9 draft pick, Porzingis and Doncic will not be teammates in New York.

“KP is doing great in Madrid,’’ said Carlon Colker, Porzingis’ performance doctor based in Greenwich, Conn. “His aggressive rehab is at a jaw-dropping rate. In conjunction, his body is already looking beastly. By September, he’ll be almost non-recognizable with his shirt off. We’re working on increasing his lean muscle mass and also training for a functionality and ruggedness to compliment his game.’’

His best buddy, Willy Hernangomez, also lives in Spain and once played for Real Madrid.

I knew Willy was great friend with Luka, was not aware of the great friendship they had with Porzingis. The Knicks were for some reason not happy that Willy and Kristaps were often communicating in Spanish. WTF

I found also Willy's recent statements interesting...

“They are two of my best friends. I was talking to KP one day about the trade (possibilities) and everything while playing (the online video game) Fortnight with Luka,” Hernangomez recalled.

“They’re going to be a good team. What are you going to do (defensively) in a pick-and-roll between Luka and KP? I’m the only one who really knows both of those guys.”

The Hornets play the Mavericks in Dallas Wednesday.

Hernangomez said the difference between Porzingis and Doncic is Doncic was always a basketball prodigy, while Porzingis needed more time to refine his skills.

“He’s taller than you think (at 7-3) and now he’s getting strong,” Hernangomez said of Porzingis. “He’s fast, he can shoot, he can pass and he’s been a professional already for six years.

“With Luka, he was very talented when he was 12. He was practicing with professionals when he was 13. I’m not surprised in any way by how he’s playing right now.”

[HMFFL]

I expect him to play this season. He told the Knicks he wanted to play and they told him no. The reason is common sense, so they can continue to tank, and put themselves in a better position to draft Zion Williams.

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[Imon]

Apparently KP is watching Luka play...

Read on Twitter

[arkuo]

Apparently KP is watching Luka play...

Read on Twitter

Lots of reasons for KP to be excited. For the first time since he was drafted he is now placed in a position to win for real in a classy organization.

[darkling]

For real guys don't pay much attention to Knicks fans, they are still hurting and talking absolute crap plus they don't remember how great he was. Aaand his ACL tear was a bad luck landing on Giannis foot, he aint THAT fragile. His brother isn't a distraction matter of fact his role is really blown out of proportion as he doesn't appear much anywhere.
I'm so excited to see Luka and KP on floor together, they will terrorize league for years. Luka alone is a nightmare in his rookie year and now that you added KP... damn.. I'm hyped for you guys.

[Bluelabel24]

^^ gotta agree that KP isnt that fragile. He was playing great despite not having playmakers around him. He had to carry most of the load.

But where I disagree is with his brother Janis. He is KP's oldest brother, manager, head trainer. If you think Lavar Ball was tough to deal with, Janis might be worse. Lavar is a loudmouth guy but at least is 100% honest and will tell you to your face. Janis seems like a guy who's nice only when hes in front of you.

For 3 years KP went in to training camp at almost the same weight(237lbs-240). That to me was a big concern. His brother is so scared of him gaining weight thinking that it would certainly lead to injury. What that novice doesnt know is that gaining the right amount could actually help prevent injury.I have seen KPs summer workout vids and you could see his camp cringe whenever Dr Carlon bring up weight gain. Most people think weight is only about backing people down in the post but the vital benefit of it is that it would help you withstand the grueling 82 game season... dont forget that when all this stuff started happening, him blowing of the FO, he was only 20-21 yrs old, he had to rely on the people around him for advice.
KP's stats reflect this, he normally starts the season on fire, then when december comes he struggles onward.

Bottom line is I hope Cuban and the FO put this guy in place. He might cause KP a lot if they dont change real soon.

[arkuo]

KP needs to keep Janis in a strictly managerial role. He needs Casey Smith on his case ASAP. Plus Dirk and Holger can work with him to get his strength and stamina up. Holger needs to fly stateside.

[Dundalis]

It's certainly possible that they are looking to keep him out because they have a goal in mind in terms of remaking his body, and perhaps certain other mechanics like his running and jumping techniques in order to prevent further injury and extend his career. And they think it's not worth interrupting that process by playing him this season keeping a longer term view.

[Baz]

Nothing to do with on the court stuff but I just watched this Jimmy Fallon interview for the first time. It's interesting to see now. Fallon is going on stupid tangents 80% of the video but really talks him up as being the lone star of the Knicks and bringing back the championship. But during the whole video Kristaps looks so uncomfortable. He doesn't really respond to any of that. I think Dallas is going to suit him really well. He's clearly a shy and humble guy who just wants to get to work. It doesn't seem like he enjoyed the big spotlight and all the pressure of being the lone star at such a place like New York. That's not a dig on him, just that not all players are suited to it.

Watch on YouTube

[burek3]

It's quite amusing to observe Knicks fans now. Just like when a child loses his favorite toy.

"Well that toy sucks anyways and I don't want it! And it's also cursed so you will be miserable when you have it!"

[juanc]

It's certainly possible that they are looking to keep him out because they have a goal in mind in terms of remaking his body, and perhaps certain other mechanics like his running and jumping techniques in order to prevent further injury and extend his career. And they think it's not worth interrupting that process by playing him this season keeping a longer term view.

He was already working on that when he was in Madrid.

Watch on YouTube

[edgarz]

The same knicks fans who are trash talking KP for leaving would gladly drive him to the airport if he would get traded for AD