PG: Pistons vs Knicks

[F N 11]

Taj may deserve some center minutes even if Mitch/Noel are heathy.

He is a good defender (not the shot blocked the other two are). But he gives you more spacing and offense then the other two.

Dont worry he is going to play a lot.

[dukeknicksirish]

Julius started slow and then dominated. His outside game is becoming a site to see.

RJ playing excellent defense, dishing out assists, and finishing better (not great , but better) in the 2nd half made me feel better.

[mpharris36]

Thibs setting the tone early so the team can hit the ground running. I have no problem with him coaching as if these games matter. It’s actually quite refreshing cuz I remember the days of going into the 1st month of the season with no set rotation and coaches like Fiz and Hornacek still playing 11-man rotations.

I think you can find a happy medium. I agree that going into the season without set rotations makes no sense. But Thibs even admitted in the post game there are a lot of great coaches that have different methods to preseason. I will ride with thibs because he's thibs and he's getting results.

But you have to see both sides. This idea that a player can get injured at anytime in practice too rarely happens. Because game speed is different then practice speed.

Thibs walks that tight rope. It is who he is and he isn't going to change. There may come a time that it backfires.

[RHODEY]

RJ Barrett is a very good role player.

Taj Gibson is a very good starter....

Team won because Kemba was out

[DOT]

Read on Twitter

[2010]

Thibs setting the tone early so the team can hit the ground running. I have no problem with him coaching as if these games matter. It’s actually quite refreshing cuz I remember the days of going into the 1st month of the season with no set rotation and coaches like Fiz and Hornacek still playing 11-man rotations.

I think you can find a happy medium. I agree that going into the season without set rotations makes no sense. But Thibs even admitted in the post game there are a lot of great coaches that have different methods to preseason. I will ride with thibs because he's thibs and he's getting results.

But you have to see both sides. This idea that a player can get injured at anytime in practice too rarely happens. Because game speed is different then practice speed.

Thibs walks that tight rope. It is who he is and he isn't going to change. There may come a time that it backfires.

The only players that should get handle with care stickers are Walker, Rose, Noel, and Robinson. But I’m fine with treating everyone else as if these games matter to set the tone and further the culture.

[TheGreenArrow]

On the road to 82-0!!!!!!!!!!

[TheGreenArrow]

RJ Barrett is a very good role player.

And that’s ok!!!!!!

[Synciere]

Thibs setting the tone early so the team can hit the ground running. I have no problem with him coaching as if these games matter. It’s actually quite refreshing cuz I remember the days of going into the 1st month of the season with no set rotation and coaches like Fiz and Hornacek still playing 11-man rotations.

I think you can find a happy medium. I agree that going into the season without set rotations makes no sense. But Thibs even admitted in the post game there are a lot of great coaches that have different methods to preseason. I will ride with thibs because he's thibs and he's getting results.

But you have to see both sides. This idea that a player can get injured at anytime in practice too rarely happens. Because game speed is different then practice speed.

Thibs walks that tight rope. There may come a time that it backfires.

People continuously state it backfired when he was the coach of the Bulls but that team was a perennial contender so it’s not like his system doesn’t work. As a manager you can be process driven or results driven. Thibs is both. Regardless there’s almost zero chance we’re not in shape by next week.

Roster is still light at the SF position, but if RJ is going to play 40 minutes a game that’s mitigated some lol.I still would’ve preferred RJ stay at the SG spot, but that ship has sailed now that Evan is here on a big contract. I’m worried about our perimeter defense taking a big hit this year though. RJ and IQ were out there hustling but Kemba, Rose, and Fournier don’t look great on the defensive end at all. Passing has gotten much better though. Finishing at the rim hasn’t.

Big sigh of relief to see Julius have a Julius game. Been a while.

[mpharris36]

Thibs setting the tone early so the team can hit the ground running. I have no problem with him coaching as if these games matter. It’s actually quite refreshing cuz I remember the days of going into the 1st month of the season with no set rotation and coaches like Fiz and Hornacek still playing 11-man rotations.

I think you can find a happy medium. I agree that going into the season without set rotations makes no sense. But Thibs even admitted in the post game there are a lot of great coaches that have different methods to preseason. I will ride with thibs because he's thibs and he's getting results.

But you have to see both sides. This idea that a player can get injured at anytime in practice too rarely happens. Because game speed is different then practice speed.

Thibs walks that tight rope. It is who he is and he isn't going to change. There may come a time that it backfires.

The only players that should get handle with care stickers are Walker, Rose, Noel, and Robinson. But I’m fine with treating everyone else as if these games matter to set the tone and further the culture.

I think thats fair. I would even put Julius in the above. Julius carried us last year the extra few minutes in the preseason isn't going to change him as a player one way or another. He is a workout warrior he will be ready to go.

Preseason just doesn't mean much to me if they come out and lose to boston in the opener no one will care they went 4-0 in the preseason.

But I get, thibs is thibs and his way isn't for everyone (he even has admitted that)

Read on Twitter

But thibs isn't perfect...he stubbornly refused to remove Payton from the lineup way too late in the post season (should have done it in the regular season) and we could never adjust. He has his faults and just because we appreciate him as a coach also means you can't point out his flaws.

It worked out because no one got injured...if Randle went down I'm sure we would be having a totally different conversation right now.

[KnicksGadfly]

Taj Gibson is a very good starter....

Team won because Kemba was out

Ah, I thought we were playing a game about wild extrapolations!

[F N 11]

Spoiler:

I think you can find a happy medium. I agree that going into the season without set rotations makes no sense. But Thibs even admitted in the post game there are a lot of great coaches that have different methods to preseason. I will ride with thibs because he's thibs and he's getting results.

But you have to see both sides. This idea that a player can get injured at anytime in practice too rarely happens. Because game speed is different then practice speed.

Thibs walks that tight rope. It is who he is and he isn't going to change. There may come a time that it backfires.

The only players that should get handle with care stickers are Walker, Rose, Noel, and Robinson. But I’m fine with treating everyone else as if these games matter to set the tone and further the culture.

I think thats fair. I would even put Julius in the above. Julius carried us last year the extra few minutes in the preseason isn't going to change him as a player one way or another. He is a workout warrior he will be ready to go.

Preseason just doesn't mean much to me if they come out and lose to boston in the opener no one will care they went 4-0 in the preseason.

But I get, thibs is thibs and his way isn't for everyone (he even has admitted that)

Read on Twitter

But thibs isn't perfect...he stubbornly refused to remove Payton from the lineup way too late in the post season (should have done it in the regular season) and we could never adjust. He has his faults and just because we appreciate him as a coach also means you can't point out his flaws.

It worked out because no one got injured...if Randle went down I'm sure we would be having a totally different conversation right now.

I guess we gotta take him for who he is. Would not of won as many games if he was laid back. We do not want another Fizdale who be still looking for rotations during the entire season.

[HEZI]

I think you can find a happy medium. I agree that going into the season without set rotations makes no sense. But Thibs even admitted in the post game there are a lot of great coaches that have different methods to preseason. I will ride with thibs because he's thibs and he's getting results.

But you have to see both sides. This idea that a player can get injured at anytime in practice too rarely happens. Because game speed is different then practice speed.

Thibs walks that tight rope. It is who he is and he isn't going to change. There may come a time that it backfires.

The only players that should get handle with care stickers are Walker, Rose, Noel, and Robinson. But I’m fine with treating everyone else as if these games matter to set the tone and further the culture.

I think thats fair. I would even put Julius in the above. Julius carried us last year the extra few minutes in the preseason isn't going to change him as a player one way or another. He is a workout warrior he will be ready to go.

Preseason just doesn't mean much to me if they come out and lose to boston in the opener no one will care they went 4-0 in the preseason.

But I get, thibs is thibs and his way isn't for everyone (he even has admitted that)

Read on Twitter

But thibs isn't perfect...he stubbornly refused to remove Payton from the lineup way too late in the post season (should have done it in the regular season) and we could never adjust. He has his faults and just because we appreciate him as a coach also means you can't point out his flaws.

It worked out because no one got injured...if Randle went down I'm sure we would be having a totally different conversation right now.

The fact that Randle didn't get injured should be topic of conversation, no? Yet it's the other way around, we are playing the what if game and not accepting what actually happened. Knicks were one of the healthies teams in the entire league last year, with Thibs being Thibs. Yet, what we do want to focus on is what if scenarios. There are coaches who load managed players and still lost them to injuries before the playoffs. I mean, nobody is perfect, you are right, and neither are your suggestions and opinions or those of other coaches around the league.

[K_ick_God]

Julius started slow and then dominated. His outside game is becoming a site to see.

RJ playing excellent defense, dishing out assists, and finishing better (not great , but better) in the 2nd half made me feel better.

He still makes some dumb passes. RJ's legs were a little lesser tonight. Again, people think this is Rah rah feel good stuff but I don't think it is: I've never seen RJ's defense drop off because he's playing poorly. Even after a turnover, he will stay with the play. It's not realistic to expect him to become a great scorer anytime soon, but the dude fights and stays ready.

Some better scoring skills MAY come, I don't know, but I think his mental strength should make him a winner.

In my book we're going to be winners! Okay maybe it is a movie line, but a guy who doesn't fade or lack confidence is a big deal in the NBA.

[mpharris36]

Spoiler:

The only players that should get handle with care stickers are Walker, Rose, Noel, and Robinson. But I’m fine with treating everyone else as if these games matter to set the tone and further the culture.

I think thats fair. I would even put Julius in the above. Julius carried us last year the extra few minutes in the preseason isn't going to change him as a player one way or another. He is a workout warrior he will be ready to go.

Preseason just doesn't mean much to me if they come out and lose to boston in the opener no one will care they went 4-0 in the preseason.

But I get, thibs is thibs and his way isn't for everyone (he even has admitted that)

Read on Twitter

But thibs isn't perfect...he stubbornly refused to remove Payton from the lineup way too late in the post season (should have done it in the regular season) and we could never adjust. He has his faults and just because we appreciate him as a coach also means you can't point out his flaws.

It worked out because no one got injured...if Randle went down I'm sure we would be having a totally different conversation right now.

I guess we gotta take him for who he is. Would not of won as many games if he was laid back. We do not want another Fizdale who be still looking for rotations during the entire season.

Oh 100%...he is a nut job but he is our nut job!

[F N 11]

Randle is different. He doesnt even look like hes trying. Could be looking at 50 40 80 Season.

[mpharris36]

The only players that should get handle with care stickers are Walker, Rose, Noel, and Robinson. But I’m fine with treating everyone else as if these games matter to set the tone and further the culture.

I think thats fair. I would even put Julius in the above. Julius carried us last year the extra few minutes in the preseason isn't going to change him as a player one way or another. He is a workout warrior he will be ready to go.

Preseason just doesn't mean much to me if they come out and lose to boston in the opener no one will care they went 4-0 in the preseason.

But I get, thibs is thibs and his way isn't for everyone (he even has admitted that)

Read on Twitter

But thibs isn't perfect...he stubbornly refused to remove Payton from the lineup way too late in the post season (should have done it in the regular season) and we could never adjust. He has his faults and just because we appreciate him as a coach also means you can't point out his flaws.

It worked out because no one got injured...if Randle went down I'm sure we would be having a totally different conversation right now.

The fact that Randle didn't get injured should be topic of conversation, no? Yet it's the other way around, we are playing the what if game and not accepting what actually happened. Knicks were one of the healthies teams in the entire league last year, with Thibs being Thibs. Yet, what we do want to focus on is what if scenarios. There are coaches who load managed players and still lost them to injuries before the playoffs. I mean, nobody is perfect, you are right, and neither are your suggestions and opinions or those of other coaches around the league.

I mean there are analytics that suggest guys playing certain amount of minutes or b2b 30 minutes each night are at a higher risk for injury. Its kind of why the NBA has gone to "load management". This theory didn't come out of thin air.

We were healthy last year but there are years and years of data and maybe last year was an outlier. Time will tell.

Again there is a reason that Thibs is like the only coach that treats preseason like this. There are many successful coaches that don't. Thibs is our nut job and I appreciate that everything means something to him. He doesn't waiver.

But he is also stubborn and a nut job. Those can be both the case at the same time. I'm just saying hopefully the bad side of that doesn't rear its ugly head one day.

[K_ick_God]

Randle is different. He doesnt even look like hes trying. Could be looking at 50 40 80 Season.

He took over with relative ease, not a Randle guy but hope to God I'm dead wrong.

[RHODEY]

Team won because Kemba was out

Ah, I thought we were playing a game about wild extrapolations!

That was so wild it went right over my head

[thebuzzardman]

Thibs setting the tone early so the team can hit the ground running. I have no problem with him coaching as if these games matter. It’s actually quite refreshing cuz I remember the days of going into the 1st month of the season with no set rotation and coaches like Fiz and Hornacek still playing 11-man rotations.

The eat what you kill, we got dogs, yada yada days How quickly we forgot

Forum asked for a culture change, got it, proceeded to complain.