PG: KNICKS 'Maul' The Grizzlies: Brunson/OG/Mitch Edition

[oldshoolballer]

Mitchell Robinson highest +\- player tonight in just 12 mins of playing time

Mitch is huge for this team. He makes the Knicks a better team no question. If he can only stay healthy.

[Capn'O]

Brunson is crazy man. He had an atrocious 3rd qtr.

But there is just a calmness about him when crunch time comes he is unstoppable.

How many times this season has he played like dog crap and then suddenly stepped on the opponent's neck.

[Clyde_Style]

Right...trash

It is especially if he’s going 0-5 from 3. He has no handle and can’t dribble without looking like he’s about to lose the ball so most times when he attempts to and the defense applies even a little pressure he has to pick up his dribble and pass. He’s very weak and doesn’t attack the rim with the ball at all whatsoever. Certain things he tries to do offensively just annoy me

He is shooting well above league average at the rim, in the midrange and on the corner three. The only place he is struggling is the above the break three. He is also doing that while being the primary point of attack defender against everyone from Morant to Tatum for 38 minutes per game while being surrounded by weak defenders like Brunson, KAT and whatever it is that Hart does defensively.

Do people think we traded for Mikal Bridges or a version of prime Kawhi Leonard that never misses games while also leading the league in minutes? What more should be expected from the 3rd option in a Thibs offense? His defense could be better at times but what lockdown defenders are playing point of attack defense for the majority of their 38 minutes per game and giving you good offense too?

In the same way some folks feel the criticisms of Thibs are too much, I often feel the same way about Mikal. I do believe he is a good player among multiple good players on this team. He has been erratic enough to be concerned at times, but I think he will be alright. I also believe at some point the general consensus about him will be more appreciative, but that may not be this season.

I do think most already agree having Mitch will benefit Bridges and OG in particular so they can focus on defending outside the paint when Mitch is on the floor.

[Capn'O]

Sham walking into the post game with Mitch a team high +11 in 12 minutes

I saw he showed up tonight and wasn't trolling.

[HarthorneWingo]

During Mitch’s first stint in the game, he made 3 stops of Memphis players attempting to attack the rim in one possession.

[Clyde_Style]

Brunson is crazy man. He had an atrocious 3rd qtr.

But there is just a calmness about him when crunch time comes he is unstoppable.

How many times this season has he played like dog crap and then suddenly stepped on the opponent's neck.

When there are four minutes left in the game I've noticed Brunson starts chewing like Josh Hart and then I realized it's spinach, not gum.

[Clyde_Style]

Sham walking into the post game with Mitch a team high +11 in 12 minutes

I saw he showed up tonight and wasn't trolling.

He's a Knick fan and Mitch is his guy.

NDOS may stalk him, but I'm OK with it.

[The KnicksFix]

Watching Mitch fly out to the perimeter to contest a 3 was a thing of beauty, I sat there in awe

[F N 11]

Read on Twitter

this team simply doesn't feel like the team i've come to love these last few years without my man. felt great to see him out there tonight

A Mitch feeling wanted is dangerous.

[The KnicksFix]

I’m foaming at the mouth thinking about how OG and Mikal can clamp up some more at the wings because now they know they have Mitch back there

[Capn'O]

Sham won

Read on Twitter

Sham left. I've been saying we'll be a better defensive team when he gets back all year and I want a damn cookie.

[LFGK]

It is especially if he’s going 0-5 from 3. He has no handle and can’t dribble without looking like he’s about to lose the ball so most times when he attempts to and the defense applies even a little pressure he has to pick up his dribble and pass. He’s very weak and doesn’t attack the rim with the ball at all whatsoever. Certain things he tries to do offensively just annoy me

He is shooting well above league average at the rim, in the midrange and on the corner three. The only place he is struggling is the above the break three. He is also doing that while being the primary point of attack defender against everyone from Morant to Tatum for 38 minutes per game while being surrounded by weak defenders like Brunson, KAT and whatever it is that Hart does defensively.

Do people think we traded for Mikal Bridges or a version of prime Kawhi Leonard that never misses games while also leading the league in minutes? What more should be expected from the 3rd option in a Thibs offense? His defense could be better at times but what lockdown defenders are playing point of attack defense for the majority of their 38 minutes per game and giving you good offense too?

In the same way some folks feel the criticisms of Thibs are too much, I often feel the same way about Mikal. I do believe he is a good player among multiple good players on this team. He has been erratic enough to be concerned at times, but I think he will be alright. I also believe at some point the general consensus about him will be more appreciative, but that may not be this season.

I do think most already agree having Mitch will benefit Bridges and OG in particular so they can focus on defending outside the paint when Mitch is on the floor.

Brunson/Payne
Bridges/McBride/Shamet
OG/Hart
KAT/Achiuwa
Mitch

This lineup is going to give ppl fits in the playoffs, last years team in the playoffs with a much better offense

[F N 11]

Kind of crazy to only be 2.5 behind Boston who just beat us twice.

[Clyde_Style]

Sham won

Read on Twitter

Sham left. I've been saying we'll be a better defensive team when he gets back all year and I want a damn cookie.

Spoiler:

[The KnicksFix]

Kind of crazy to only be 2.5 behind Boston who just beat us twice.

That’s crazy to think about, it feels like we lost most games than we did. Or maybe we aren’t appreciating the victories the way we should.

[WaltFrazier]

I don't like that Achiuwa only played 4 minutes. Thibs should be more adaptable to find him minutes playing some 4 and small ball 5.

[spree2kawhi]

Half of y’all should be ashamed of yourselves. Let’s be real.

[kNicksGmen]

I don't like that Achiuwa only played 4 minutes. Thibs should be more adaptable to find him minutes playing some 4 and small ball 5.

Not sure he would have played at all if Kat didn't get into foul trouble.

[HopelessKnick]

Very good win against a superb team. To me this game was very very important because it is one of the few games left against elite teams that matter in this regular season. We don't play Boston/Cleveland until very late in the season so not sure whether those games will have any relevance. For the psyche of this team it was of utmost importance to win this one.


It also generally shows that the roster itself is not THAT far off and a better bench and coaching change could truly close the gap to the top 3.

I didn't catch the game---so what was the 3point defense like? Noticed the Grizzlies shot terribly from 3, was it them just missing shots or did it have anything to do with the Knicks defense?

[WargamesX]

I’m foaming at the mouth thinking about how OG and Mikal can clamp up some more at the wings because now they know they have Mitch back there

I been saying this for months.... Though I still think the real unlock is if they can get it to the point Mitch and KAT can play together for heavy minutes.