Offseason Thread: Sunday Funday can't come fast enough

[GONYK]

KD will be hounded by the media types whenever he steps out in public, and they'll be watching and filming his every move (or non-move) in his recovery. The mental pressure is going to be immense.

Do we just ignore the fact that KD has won 2 finals MVPs which probably speaks a little to his mental strength and endurance under immense pressure? We’re not talking about a child going through stage fright - this is a grown man that’s been able to drive himself so hard he’s become the best performer in the entire world. The mental issues seem a bit overblown.

yeah. none of that stuff seems to impact his game. just his public persona.

we once had a star here who was quite hostile to the media and extremely guarded. he overachieved on the court in every possible way.

Talking about Frank, right?

[BowlRips]

Media-wise, it's a lose-lose for the Knicks. They sign Durant, they just signed an injured player. If they don't, they just got embarrassed by letting the Nets get him.

Its not a lose lose. We didnt gut our team. Kd is a complimentary piece to the young guys. He will have a huge impact on them.

Exactly..
who will have a larger impact on our team.
Cousins and Randle for 1 year combined 38 or KD in a suit.

[iLLmatic860]

Media-wise, it's a lose-lose for the Knicks. They sign Durant, they just signed an injured player. If they don't, they just got embarrassed by letting the Nets get him.

Its not a lose lose. We didnt gut our team. Kd is a complimentary piece to the young guys. He will have a huge impact on them.

That is assuming KD is a great leader and a brilliant mentor and I don't see any indications for or against those assumptions.

So he's a star. That's not going to change the culture by itself.

Saying he's going to have a huge impact from the sidelines is too much hype.

Guess you guys aint as high on RJ as I am. I think he a franchise player. And once KD contract over itll be his team.

[drekwins]

Looking at all of the reports, the only two guys that no one has a read on are KD & Kawhi. Those two aren't talking. The NYK don't talk either. One thing I will say is that Kawhi is unlikely to go back West IMO. With the Lakers getting so much star power, I don't think it would be attractive to play for the Clippers as the lone star. IMO, it's squarely between NY and Toronto. I don't think it's coincidence that Isola noted that the Knicks plan to meet with KD and then Kawhi first... prior to heading out West. I still think that's their goal. The only other FA's not linked to anywhere are Harris, Butler and DLo. I think we have a real shot to end up with 2 of those 5... KD is the most likely piece. If he comes, things will fall into line.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Another argument for KD is that if we don’t sign him, we will probably use the money in a worse way. I think the best alternative plan would be to use the money to buy picks and assets but I don’t know if we do that. Sounds like we will just load up on 1 year vets and try to stay competitive. 3 years of KD at 80% is probably a better option then that. With KD sitting out the year, we can probably another top pick in ’20. We could have the start to something….

Mitch
KD
RJ
‘20 draft pick

With the Mavs picks, cap spaceand some other young players, we should have the assets or cap to pick up another guy…maybe someone like Beal. We could be on our way to something by then.

Its a big risk, but KD getting close to 90% is probably our best path to contention at this point.

[thebuzzardman]

According to my sauces FBI keeping close tabs on NetsDaily for a potential planning of a terrorist act

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

If they were a terrorist group, their name would be Al-Queefa

[Esq-4]

For fun, laying it out, KD comes. Then what? Assuming no KL. Do you still go after a "second max", which is unlikely to be KI or KW, so Harris or Butler?

I think KI reluctantly no, KW yes (seems to have good leadership skills and would be good for culture even in a developing season), but seems unlikely. No to the other 2 because not sure Harris is truly a max guy and we'd have a position and defense issue in 2 years with KD Harris Knox. Jimmy B doesn't have those issues, but don't see him loving a down year when he has better win now options. I won't even go down the DLO road.

So no "second max". Make smart long term signings to have a solid team around KD the following 3 seasons, but no guaranteed star? Not going to toss names out. Could work if one of those guys pans out and/or Barrett and/or another youngster blossom.

Sign or take on one year deals? What's the point of those guys won't be around and we have to start all over again next year? Of course, is we get picks or young assets for taking on deals and good players with bird rights, that could be different.

Not even saying don't get KD, but what's the next step in the plan, realistically?

[Stannis]

a sobering account from another doc

https://nypost.com/2019/06/27/achilles-injury-return-stat-that-should-give-kevin-durant-suitors-pause/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons

In explaining why Durant won’t be the same sniper in 2020-21, [Dr. Anish] Kadakia said it’s jumping and speed. The surgically repaired leg regains just 95 percent of the power of the healthy leg.

“When you shoot, you jump,” he said. “You’re [sic] jump is off because you don’t have as much power in one leg than the other. You play your whole career based on how much height and quick reaction you get when you want to shoot. Some can’t do that anymore, no longer able to push off like you were before.

“And speed is heavily affected, making the quick cut. You lose a little of that power, when you want to push off as hard as you want. An elite athlete losing 5 percent power makes big difference.’’

Judging from that, it confirms staying with GS is the wisest choice.

Also, new CBA is in a year or two, right? Maybe there's another amnesty. So we kind of get a freebie to use lol. We could use it on Durant, or maybe the Noah stretch or DSjr (jk 3tohead)

[snadler]

SAS Kawhi seriously considering the Lakers..not buying it

[GONYK]

a sobering account from another doc

https://nypost.com/2019/06/27/achilles-injury-return-stat-that-should-give-kevin-durant-suitors-pause/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons

In explaining why Durant won’t be the same sniper in 2020-21, [Dr. Anish] Kadakia said it’s jumping and speed. The surgically repaired leg regains just 95 percent of the power of the healthy leg.

“When you shoot, you jump,” he said. “You’re [sic] jump is off because you don’t have as much power in one leg than the other. You play your whole career based on how much height and quick reaction you get when you want to shoot. Some can’t do that anymore, no longer able to push off like you were before.

“And speed is heavily affected, making the quick cut. You lose a little of that power, when you want to push off as hard as you want. An elite athlete losing 5 percent power makes big difference.’’

Judging from that, it confirms staying with GS is the wisest choice.

Also, new CBA is in a year or two, right? Maybe there's another amnesty. So we kind of get a freebie to use lol. We could use it on Durant, or maybe the Noah stretch or DSjr (jk 3tohead)

Why is being less than perfect healthwise in Golden State better than being less than perfect healthwise in NY?

This decision was never about basketball. It was about legacy.

[drekwins]

Another argument for KD is that if we don’t sign him, we will probably use the money in a worse way. I think the best alternative plan would be to use the money to buy picks and assets but I don’t know if we do that. Sounds like we will just load up on 1 year vets and try to stay competitive. 3 years of KD at 80% is probably a better option then that. With KD sitting out the year, we can probably another top pick in ’20. We could have the start to something….

Mitch
KD
RJ
‘20 draft pick

With the Mavs picks, cap spaceand some other young players, we should have the assets or cap to pick up another guy…maybe someone like Beal. We could be on our way to something by then

We have to put an NBA level team around RJ in year one. He's going to have so much on his shoulders if we do not. IMO, it's similar to a young QB. You can't let him take too many hits early on. I'm not saying that we need to offer bad deals. I just think he needs legit NBA players, even on one year deals. Knox, DSJ, Frank and Mitch are not good enough to surround him with. They all can play, but he needs a couple of guys who can take pressure off.

[drekwins]

Since when did SAS start breaking news? pftt

[sol537]

For fun, laying it out, KD comes. Then what? Assuming no KL. Do you still go after a "second max", which is unlikely to be KI or KW, so Harris or Butler?

I think KI reluctantly no, KW yes (seems to have good leadership skills and would be good for culture even in a developing season), but seems unlikely. No to the other 2 because not sure Harris is truly a max guy and we'd have a position and defense issue in 2 years with KD Harris Knox. Jimmy B doesn't have those issues, but don't see him loving a down year when he has better win now options. I won't even go down the DLO road.

So no "second max". Make smart long term signings to have a solid team around KD the following 3 seasons, but no guaranteed star? Not going to toss names out. Could work if one of those guys pans out and/or Barrett and/or another youngster blossom.

Sign or take on one year deals? What's the point of those guys won't be around and we have to start all over again next year? Of course, is we get picks or young assets for taking on deals and good players with bird rights, that could be different.

Not even saying don't get KD, but what's the next step in the plan, realistically?

If we get KD, the next step should be to develop the youth next season with ample playing time (to see what we have there), "tank" for a high pick, and take on 1-year deals to get additional picks. Then we can trade for a 2nd veteran all-star at the trade deadline or during the off-season in the hopes of having a contender in place for KD's return so he could be the "cherry on top".

[Jeff Van Gully]

That would put us in a bit of a bind then. Assuming the front office had serious discussions for months now just for them to back out of it due to his unfortunate injury.

Durant would tell all the players that we can’t be trusted, as in Perry/Mills.

i'm not comfortable assuming there was tampering. people can get wind of folks' thoughts without there having been elaborate promises. interest can be known and anecdotal. not saying it hasn't happened, but that's quite an assumption.

Dolan was “told” free agents are coming and that was in February? March? When he did that interview on the Michael Kay show.

I may have wrongly used the assumption word there as well.

i feel you. i think we're talking about the same thing. you can get wind of intentions and be excited without discussing or fully engaging.

i could totally see dolan hearing from someone in KD's camp that he's interested and getting hella geeked... rightly so.

[Stannis]

a sobering account from another doc

https://nypost.com/2019/06/27/achilles-injury-return-stat-that-should-give-kevin-durant-suitors-pause/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons

Judging from that, it confirms staying with GS is the wisest choice.

Also, new CBA is in a year or two, right? Maybe there's another amnesty. So we kind of get a freebie to use lol. We could use it on Durant, or maybe the Noah stretch or DSjr (jk 3tohead)

Why is being less than perfect healthwise in Golden State better than being less than perfect healthwise in NY?

just more security in a 5 year contract with the 5th year being 50m.

[SelbyCobra]

Since when did SAS start breaking news? pftt

I get what you're saying, but this isn't the right rhetorical question to ask He famously was way out in front of the Lebron to Miami story.

Maybe more like, "how often is SAS actually right when he makes these FA predictions?"

[BLACKFEET 2010]

Since when did SAS start breaking news? pftt

Ummmm....2010, summer. South Beach business.
No?

[VirginiaKnickFan]

He doesnt even have the mental make up to ignore social media trolls

KD will be hounded by the media types whenever he steps out in public, and they'll be watching and filming his every move (or non-move) in his recovery. The mental pressure is going to be immense.

Do we just ignore the fact that KD has won 2 finals MVPs which probably speaks a little to his mental strength and endurance under immense pressure? We’re not talking about a child going through stage fright - this is a grown man that’s been able to drive himself so hard he’s become the best performer in the entire world. The mental issues seem a bit overblown.

I didn't say he couldn't handle it. I just said the media scrutiny will be intense in NY. He's past media markets in cities where he played don't compare to at all to NY. Again, I'm not saying he won't endure, just that it's something to be considered by him.

[GONYK]

Since when did SAS start breaking news? pftt

I get what you're saying, but this isn't the right rhetorical question to ask He famously was way out in front of the Lebron to Miami story.

Maybe more like, "how often is SAS actually right when he makes these FA predictions?"

Or what has he been right about since 2010?

[Jeff Van Gully]

Do we just ignore the fact that KD has won 2 finals MVPs which probably speaks a little to his mental strength and endurance under immense pressure? We’re not talking about a child going through stage fright - this is a grown man that’s been able to drive himself so hard he’s become the best performer in the entire world. The mental issues seem a bit overblown.

yeah. none of that stuff seems to impact his game. just his public persona.

we once had a star here who was quite hostile to the media and extremely guarded. he overachieved on the court in every possible way.

Talking about Frank, right?

that would be the guy. jersey already in the rafters.