Game 35: Knicks vs @OKC: 1/3/2025; 8:00pm NBA-TV

[Jalen Bluntson]

I would love for us to win this game. And we might. But I really think this team is sort of incomplete until we either get Mitch back or trade for that rim protecting big that Thibs defense needs to run at it's optimum level.

So I am not going to be totally heartbroken if we don't win bc I believe this team has another level it can get to. In other words this is not the best version quite yet of what we can be.

We are a little banged up and we are not a complete roster without Mitch/replacement. I still think Precious can hold the fort down while we wait though. I think bench scoring and hitting our 3 at a better clip than recent games are key. We can't come out bricking against these guys. KAT should eat Shart for lunch... ...and our wing defense should be solid. Just can't let them pull away early. Play a clean game and we can win.

All true points JB. Precious being back and now just about fully up to game speed is a help no doubt. First few games he was getting his legs under him. He is a decent rim protector. Probably not really an elite one tho and doesn't have the wingspan of a Mtich or Kessler obviously. We are a pretty strong team right now and could absolutely win this game but getting another elite 5 will bring us up another notch for sure.

We have been discussing this for weeks now. After trying to make sense of players and trades, I am not sure we are gonna do much. We have to trust Leon. The Mitch gamble at the deadline is a little stressful to us fans.

[RHODEY]

Refs are going to get involved, Knicks will never get on track and as a result will get smoke live the proverbial cheap cigar.

Fitting, since fans on here getting entirely too cocky over the current product.

Knicks are good. That aren't THAT good yet.

Reverse jinx us to victory!

[KnixinSix]

We are a little banged up and we are not a complete roster without Mitch/replacement. I still think Precious can hold the fort down while we wait though. I think bench scoring and hitting our 3 at a better clip than recent games are key. We can't come out bricking against these guys. KAT should eat Shart for lunch... ...and our wing defense should be solid. Just can't let them pull away early. Play a clean game and we can win.

All true points JB. Precious being back and now just about fully up to game speed is a help no doubt. First few games he was getting his legs under him. He is a decent rim protector. Probably not really an elite one tho and doesn't have the wingspan of a Mtich or Kessler obviously. We are a pretty strong team right now and could absolutely win this game but getting another elite 5 will bring us up another notch for sure.

We have been discussing this for weeks now. After trying to make sense of players and trades, I am not sure we are gonna do much. We have to trust Leon. The Mitch gamble at the deadline is a little stressful to us fans.

We no question have enough assets to trade for a non superstar rim protecting big. Kolek after winning G league MVP is showing the NBA world he has high level potential. We have a First round pick and a bunch of 2nds. Dadiet was worked out by a number of teams including Utah.

Personally I think something will happen. We are in full win now mode.

[sol537]

I think we stand pat and consider Mitch as our big trade deadline acquisition. I understand that you want to maximize every season from here on out from a Championship window standpoint, but I'm not sure there's anyone out there to get that would be much better than a 3-4 month Mitch Rob "rental". If Mitch plays, he's better than Kessler so what's the point in overpaying for Kessler?

Perhaps Leon is putting trust in the recently buffed medical/training staff.

[Jalen Bluntson]

All true points JB. Precious being back and now just about fully up to game speed is a help no doubt. First few games he was getting his legs under him. He is a decent rim protector. Probably not really an elite one tho and doesn't have the wingspan of a Mtich or Kessler obviously. We are a pretty strong team right now and could absolutely win this game but getting another elite 5 will bring us up another notch for sure.

We have been discussing this for weeks now. After trying to make sense of players and trades, I am not sure we are gonna do much. We have to trust Leon. The Mitch gamble at the deadline is a little stressful to us fans.

We no question have enough assets to trade for a non superstar rim protecting big. Kolek after winning G league MVP is showing the NBA world he has high level potential. We have a First round pick and a bunch of 2nds. Dadiet was worked out by a number of teams including Utah.

Personally I think something will happen. We are in full win now mode.

We have trade pieces. Just not sure what the market will be and what the team is thinking. 5 weeks left. Trust Leon!

[SelbyCobra]

There's a reasonable explanation for a very good shooting team to be collectively awful from three for inexplicably long stretches:

They're tired/sluggish; their legs aren't there.

[JayTWill]

I'm most interested in seeing how the Knicks' offense matches up against the OKC's defense. OKC isn't afraid to switch, go zone or put a small on big. They can throw a lot of different looks and defenders at you. It will test the player's and Thib's ability to adjust and adapt. I'm looking forward to that.

I'm also looking to see if Thibs once again shortens the rotation in the second half and how it will work out against a team that is willing to go 10 deep no matter what with active bodies.

[HopelessKnick]

We have been discussing this for weeks now. After trying to make sense of players and trades, I am not sure we are gonna do much. We have to trust Leon. The Mitch gamble at the deadline is a little stressful to us fans.

We no question have enough assets to trade for a non superstar rim protecting big. Kolek after winning G league MVP is showing the NBA world he has high level potential. We have a First round pick and a bunch of 2nds. Dadiet was worked out by a number of teams including Utah.

Personally I think something will happen. We are in full win now mode.

We have trade pieces. Just not sure what the market will be and what the team is thinking. 5 weeks left. Trust Leon!

The question is how to match up best with Boston....seeing how the Wolves took out Gobert for almost the entire fourth to match up with Boston could suggest that it is going to be difficult to keep non-shooting rim protecting bigs on the court against the Celtics...the best thing would be to have Precious being able to take 3-4 threes a game and knock down 35% of them...

[thebuzzardman]

Read on Twitter

Perfect timing huh? almost like this game is part of some sort of destiny story...

Almost as if the whole thing is rigged.

So, OKC gets the home win tonight, Knicks get the home win next week.

Script already written.

[sol537]

I'm most interested in seeing how the Knicks' offense matches up against the OKC's defense. OKC isn't afraid to switch, go zone or put a small on big. They can throw a lot of different looks and defenders at you. It will test the player's and Thib's ability to adjust and adapt. I'm looking forward to that.

I'm also looking to see if Thibs once again shortens the rotation in the second half and how it will work out against a team that is willing to go 10 deep no matter what with active bodies.

Thibs will shorten the rotation... there's no doubt about it.

We have to live in the paint via KAT, Brunson, and Hart forays into their defense. iHart's their only interior presence. Pounding them in the paint like the Bucks did will open up the corner three's for Mikal and OG.

OKC is a really tough team, but so are we. I expect us to be razor focused and driven tonight. It might go down to the wire but I expect us to pull out a close one...

[Context]

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Perfect timing huh? almost like this game is part of some sort of destiny story...

Almost as if the whole thing is rigged.

So, OKC gets the home win tonight, Knicks get the home win next week.

Script already written.

If we really want to go there Buzz...why not give the Knicks the win here. We are the bigger market- if will help our contender image
grow. Everyone already believes OKC is a contender; a loss doesnt hurt them; especially if it's close. Most still dont take us seriously

[Knick4Real]

I think we stand pat and consider Mitch as our big trade deadline acquisition. I understand that you want to maximize every season from here on out from a Championship window standpoint, but I'm not sure there's anyone out there to get that would be much better than a 3-4 month Mitch Rob "rental". If Mitch plays, he's better than Kessler so what's the point in overpaying for Kessler?

Perhaps Leon is putting trust in the recently buffed medical/training staff.

Mitch would be healthy and playing if Embiid hadn't yanked his bad ankle during the playoffs and caused further injury.

I still can't believe he got away with that and there was no retribution from the league.

[Jalen Bluntson]

The first big test since they started rolling so, I am anxious to see how we do. This game can't get here fast enough.

[Context]

I'm most interested in seeing how the Knicks' offense matches up against the OKC's defense. OKC isn't afraid to switch, go zone or put a small on big. They can throw a lot of different looks and defenders at you. It will test the player's and Thib's ability to adjust and adapt. I'm looking forward to that.

I'm also looking to see if Thibs once again shortens the rotation in the second half and how it will work out against a team that is willing to go 10 deep no matter what with active bodies.

This how our offense fairs is a very interesting point you raised...
I guess to a degree- it might be the most important part/purpose of this game...

[TheGreenArrow]

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[Context]

The first big test since they started rolling so, I am anxious to see how we do. This game can't get here fast enough.

I know! I dont like being this invested to be honest. I tend to neglect things

[Fat Kat]

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[TheGreenArrow]

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[TheGreenArrow]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Context]

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I know I would prefer to have a healthy Mitch too