Chanel Bomber wrote:dakomish23 wrote:Can we take a moment to reflect on just how well things go for the Knicks when you do the things you’re supposed to do?
They traded Melo to kickstart the rebuild - got Mitch
They played the kids & lived with the result - got RJB
They went after a younger guy who could be a part of the future - got Randle
They traded the well playing vet in a losing year - got IQ
Imagine where we’d be if they had
A. Used the remaining cap space on assets instead of mediocre journeymen vets in 2019
B. Played the kids & lives with the results in 19-20
It’s so rare we do it but when we make the normal decision, it pays off for us. How many arguments did we have on all these things?
Agreed on all points (but one).
But for me the point about the vets is about which type of vets do you bring in. Players who have been in the trenches and who can play and off the ball to give the kids the space they need to develop, or ball-dominant career losers who will decide the fate of the team? And will the organization hold these vets accountable or cater to them because of some misguided old-school principle that standing on its own is actually devoid of substance?
Bullock, Burks and Noel have done wonders for this team this season because they mostly play within their role, and they do it quite well. Bullock and Noel for instance don't compromise RJ's usage. A guy like Payton on the other hand puts a ceiling on Quickley's playing time and on RJ's usage without actually helping the team.
My point is, not all mediocre journeyman vets are created equal.
Bullock yes. That’s why nobody was against the 2nd version of his contract. We could of used all the remaining cap space on assets and still signed him - it was an exception. A some 3 & some D guy is always a solid small investment.
Burks is a gunner given too big a role. Reduce his role and id like him a 100x better. He’s not that good for the role he’s given.
Noel is a rim protector and literally nothing else. He’s a huge detriment on offense. One of the worst PnR men in the NBA. Not just eye test, stats back that up. He’s not a good rebounder. He can block shots. That’s it.
They haven’t done wonders. They sometimes meet their inflated roles and more often have not. We won’t miss them when they’re gone.
Just like we didn’t miss any of the other journeymen who’ve been here the last few years.
There is no world I would rather have the journeymen vets than the assets.
