dakomish23 wrote:ctorres wrote:Last 11 games:
21.1 ppg
52.1% fg's (15.4 fga/g)
41.7% 3pt fg's (3.3 3pa/g)
73.2% ft's (5.1 fta/g)
5.8 rpg
3.2 apg
0.6 spg
0.4 bpg
Far from a bust at this point. Even if you think the last 11 games is a small sample, he has averaged 18/6/3 on 49/43/75 shooting over the last 33 games.
Those are legit #2 numbers and Randle is putting up legit #1 numbers. Mix in Mitch non box score dominance with random decent group guard play and you get our record.
Imagine with even a semi legitimate backcourt? Could be knocking on 50 win level
Let’s hope they realize the obvious and pour all the resources into the backcourt. Assuming IQ is in their plans, all the picks / cap space is more than enough to build a good if not great backcourt rotation
Legit #1 and legit #2 numbers does not mean they are legit #1's and legit #2's on a championship team. I'm starting to really like RJ, though. He's going to be a really good player in the league for a long time. And Randle is Randle, a very good player.
We need two more dominant NBA players to get this roster near the top on the East. I think both RJ and Randle would be legit #3's on a championship roster, and we happen to have two of them which is incredible. We need a 'superstar', and another player at the level of Randle/RJ to get there. I don't know how we do it, but I hope the front office has a plan to get there.
Looks like getting into the top 5 this year really is a pipedream, unless we drop to maybe the 10th slot, and then we'd have the ability to get into the top 5 by trading one of Randle or RJ to get there.
I'd trade Randle over RJ (believe it or not).
So,
10th pick in the draft, plus another 1, plus Randle might get us into the top 5 (or even top 3??) I know it's a pipedream, but I'm still holding out hope. This draft has 5 players that could come in and change the trajectory of any franchise.
This coming draft will be the last one that we'll have a chance at landing a franchise player through the draft. If we don't get there this year, it's over. Our team is too good moving forward to land us a high lottery pick in the coming years. Plus, I don't care about it unless we can get it done THIS YEAR AND THIS DRAFT. So, the only chance of landing any 'stars' moving forward will be a trade (which we'll need to give up RJ or Randle), or free agency, which never works for the Knicks.
I know my post sounds pessimistic, but it's not meant to be. This is the first time I'm excited about the franchise in a long time. Thibs was an amazing hire, and is getting the most out of all them (except Mr. Bust Obi).
We're two big moves away from putting ourselves in the conversation in the East.