SL Game Thread # 1: CaKnickians vs. Pelicanos

[BrOnXKing1]

RJ looking like he's stuck in mud- more jitters or is there a lack of athleticism? He doesnt bounce off the floor at all it seems.

I feel like he added some weight good or bad that is effecting his athletic ability. In his HS film, when he was much lighter, he was like Kobe skying for dunks

[Richard4444]

Trier had a really good game. 21/5/4 with 57%FG. 3/4 3pt and tried to play defense with 5 fouls and had only 1 turnover. I think he is grabbing a rotation spot in the new season premiere...

[thebuzzardman]

Kobe mentality, Adam Morrison skill set.

[awy]

rj was never that athletic in high school in the quick twitch sense.

he is a strength athlete who covered up lack of explosiveness with being stronger than teenagers

[thebuzzardman]

Iggy looked better than RJ

He bricked several shots too. Given more volume, I'm confident he'd have caught up to RJ. He is a Knick now, after all

[Knicks Byke]

wasn't Knox dominating SL last year? we all know how his season turned out.

Can't wait for game two. when's the next game?

[Billy Goat]

RJ looking like he's stuck in mud- more jitters or is there a lack of athleticism? He doesnt bounce off the floor at all it seems.

I feel like he added some weight good or bad that is effecting his athletic ability. In his HS film, when he was much lighter, he was like Kobe skying for dunks

Yeah I see what you're saying. Looks a little bulky. Maybe he'll cut weight.

[Gravy]

RJ has the pressure on him to be the savior of the franchise like KP had. I think having having Randle around should be great for him and ease some of that pressure through his struggles. These kids are super young, Knox is still the same age as most of these rookies. Both Zion and RJ looked like they were in college because the last game they played was in college!

Fans are itching for our draft picks to come out looking like a star from day 1 but that's rare. The positive is our development staff has a good track record so far with Mitch, Trier, Knox, Dotson, Vonleh, Mudiay, all showing improvement.

[SmoothLefty21]

I was expecting to see RJ do some playmaking, maybe run a few PnRs with Mitch or whoever. But I don't recall seeing RJ do any playmaking. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

In the second half they ran a few Barrett/Mitch PnRs. Didn't lead to much IIRC.

[HarthorneWingo]

RJ has the pressure on him to be the savior of the franchise like KP had. I think having having Randle around should be great for him and ease some of that pressure through his struggles. These kids are super young, Knox is still the same age as most of these rookies. Both Zion and RJ looked like they were in college because the last game they played was in college!

Fans are itching for our draft picks to come out looking like a star from day 1 but that's rare. The positive is our development staff has a good track record so far with Mitch, Trier, Knox, Dotson, Vonleh, Mudiay, all showing improvement.

Savior? LOL. Who's the fool who's saying that? I'll be very happy if he can develop in a well-rounded consistent starter for us. But he's a LONG WAY from being a savior. He's not even a starter for us in the regular season. Are you really going to start him over Dotson? Not me.

[Clyde_Style]

Knox has a quicker release now. Will help him a lot.

I'm guessing Iggy might come on strong early this year and become a regular rotation guy. He was one of the few guys who has natural off-the-ball movement sense. It will allow him to fill lanes, be part of PnRs, spot up, etc. without messing up spacing

I appreciate the lecture on patience. Lord knows Knicks fans are a sadistic bunch who tear at every flaw prematurely. Folks need to consider what you're saying which if I may paraphrase:

THE KNICKS ARE DRAFTING THE YOUNGEST PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE BASED ON TALENT TO DEVELOP THEM OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

If Knox takes a leap this year and the next, he will fully vindicate his draft selection. Let's give RJ some room to breathe. This crowd is mericiless.

I was thinking that with Knox too, seems like he sped up his release. If the three is really there with that quick release, he's going to have a ton of gravity.

Iggy's got a nose for the ball. Seems like he can become a solid glue type F where you can put him into a number of different combinations and he'll contribute whatever's lacking.

And facts about the youth fam. This is looking like a legitimate rebuild and that means several years of development for everyone with ups and downs that come with it.

I hope the majority here starts to adjust their outlook and modify their reasoning along with it.

Some cats just can't handle the rebuild life though

Personally, I'm thankful. This is all I've ever wanted as a Knicks fan. I'm in no hurry. I'm riding in a different caboose than the glitter crowd

[Gravy]

RJ has the pressure on him to be the savior of the franchise like KP had. I think having having Randle around should be great for him and ease some of that pressure through his struggles. These kids are super young, Knox is still the same age as most of these rookies. Both Zion and RJ looked like they were in college because the last game they played was in college!

Fans are itching for our draft picks to come out looking like a star from day 1 but that's rare. The positive is our development staff has a good track record so far with Mitch, Trier, Knox, Dotson, Vonleh, Mudiay, all showing improvement.

Savior? LOL. Who's the fool who's saying that? I'll be very happy if he can develop in a well-rounded consistent starter for us. But he's a LONG WAY from being a savior. He's not even a starter for us in the regular season. Are you really going to start him over Dotson? Not me.

Yep, already got him starting and leading the team next to Randle at almost 20ppg. lol. Just set him up to knock him down..Let him get his feet wet at least.

[Garbagelo]

They called the game, it’s final.

Does anybody else think Frank would’ve made a difference in this game instead of Kadeem?

obviously

[Chanel Bomber]

I really have a problem with our roster construction. we have a few talented players but I don't see the fit already.

RJ, DSJ, Trier, Randle and (partially) knox all need the ball a lot. I mean... how should this work out?

Rooting so much for Dot and Frank to get minutes...

At this stage of the rebuilding process, you don't worry about fit as much as you invest in upside.

We only need two of those players to pan out, and then the pecking order will sort itself out and maybe trades will be made. Randle is proven, so hopefully one of DSJ, Knox, Trier or RJ reaches the next level. You can make the case we should've drafted Garland or Culver because you think they are more likely to reach their potential or because they have a higher ceiling, but it shouldn't be about fit imo.

the problem is that it's way more difficult for them to pan out when nobody gets the ball enough and the floor is not spaced enough..

ideally TWO positions would be manned by Dotson/Bullock/Frank + Mitch/Taj all the time.

Absolutely

[GONYK]

RJ looking like he's stuck in mud- more jitters or is there a lack of athleticism? He doesnt bounce off the floor at all it seems.

I feel like he added some weight good or bad that is effecting his athletic ability. In his HS film, when he was much lighter, he was like Kobe skying for dunks

Yeah I see what you're saying. Looks a little bulky. Maybe he'll cut weight.

He can cut if he wants. He still lacks elite functional athleticism.

[3toheadmelo]

Trier and Knox looked good

[drekwins]

RJ looking like he's stuck in mud- more jitters or is there a lack of athleticism? He doesnt bounce off the floor at all it seems.

I feel like he added some weight good or bad that is effecting his athletic ability. In his HS film, when he was much lighter, he was like Kobe skying for dunks

He's fine man. They've been doing two-a-days plus there's a lot of adernaline. You burn out quick. RJ is going to be a monster. I saw all I need to see. Confidence, draws contract, can finish through the contact and he has good form. Do I want him to be more unselfish? Yes. But dude, Kobe shot 42% from the field, 34% form 3 and under 80% from the line at 19 years old. He didn't even start his first two seasons and looked rough at times. That's all a part of the process. I love RJs mindset.

[Chanel Bomber]

Knox has a quicker release now. Will help him a lot.

I'm guessing Iggy might come on strong early this year and become a regular rotation guy. He was one of the few guys who has natural off-the-ball movement sense. It will allow him to fill lanes, be part of PnRs, spot up, etc. without messing up spacing

I appreciate the lecture on patience. Lord knows Knicks fans are a sadistic bunch who tear at every flaw prematurely. Folks need to consider what you're saying which if I may paraphrase:

THE KNICKS ARE DRAFTING THE YOUNGEST PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE BASED ON TALENT TO DEVELOP THEM OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

If Knox takes a leap this year and the next, he will fully vindicate his draft selection. Let's give RJ some room to breathe. This crowd is mericiless.

I was thinking that with Knox too, seems like he sped up his release. If the three is really there with that quick release, he's going to have a ton of gravity.

Iggy's got a nose for the ball. Seems like he can become a solid glue type F where you can put him into a number of different combinations and he'll contribute whatever's lacking.

And facts about the youth fam. This is looking like a legitimate rebuild and that means several years of development for everyone with ups and downs that come with it.

I hope the majority here starts to adjust their outlook and modify their reasoning along with it.

Some cats just can't handle the rebuild life though

Personally, I'm thankful. This is all I've ever wanted as a Knicks fan. I'm in no hurry. I'm riding in a different caboose than the glitter crowd

Agreed.

There's a flip side to that coin however. Now we need to hold the front office accountable for their draft picks. We gotta give the young players time, because it's a marathon and not a sprint, but if by 2021 or 2022 we don't have a productive blue chipper on the roster with obvious All-Star potential, then it'll be time to reconsider how capable Steve Mills and Scott Perry really are. There's plenty of time, but they're officially on the clock in my opinion. We can't afford to find ourselves in a situation like the Suns.

[drekwins]

Trier and Knox looked good

Zion was completely contained until Knox switched on him. Then, he had 3 straight dunks. It's not about offense. It's all about his defense, playing like a man on the defensive glass and unselfishness. It was nice to see him shoot well early but I wasn't impressed with the other areas... to say the least.

[drekwins]

Watch on YouTube

All of Zion's points were from terrible defensive plays by Knox, and one by Trier. Mitch at least sent him to the line. Knox is just not even there.