I think most of these answers can be YES.

I think the #1 thing is the last one… coaching. I think what we are seeing is an excellent job with by this coach. What do I see that tells me this you ask?

-Great effort after losses. Whatever JH says after these losses the team comes out motivated and ready to erase the prior failures
-Burn for everyone. We have 11 guys with Lance back that get minutes. Kuz/Willy are on the fence, but when they DO get minutes they don’t get yanked in our out. JH gives them a nice stretch to get warm and play. I have noticed this with most of his subs.
-System favors his personnel. Much has been made of triangle vs. P&R. The offense has been simple to start the season, and everyone seems to at least get a chance to get buckets where they are most comfortable.

Phil hasn’t been perfect, but after 2 years of wiping out the roster and figuring out what he wants from his coach I think we have a good mix, are trending upward and have plenty of room to continue to grow.

I think this year is simply about growing, playing together and seeing where we are at the end of the year. How do we match vs. the better teams? How do we do in the playoffs? The “process” just got a lot more enjoyable

EnySpree wrote:We have a well balanced and professional roster. I'm expecting the scouting report to adjust entering the holiday season and new year...

If you remember Milsap of the Atlanta Hawks couldn't believe they lost to the worst defensive team in the nba. We have grown exponentially since then. It's almost to the point where we can count on winning certain games...Almost

I'm looking at the roster and the only way this team can really improve is from within. This team doesn't need a trade at this point. Individually each player stands to improve their square. Nobody is playing their best yet. At the same time, as a team we have yet to peak or get into a smooth flow yet.

We have great depth at every position. How can we really get better? Who can we get that's better than what we have without messing up chemistry?

Consider the fact that we are 24 games in and already look pretty good, we will continue to get better as the year goes on. And year 2. And year 3. If you keep this group together, reasonable healthy permitting, you can only go up with improved chemistry and internal growth of the young guys. Porzingis will grow into true star, Willy will grow into a great role player, and whomever we draft this summer will hopefully become a part of the rotation. For the first time this millennium, we should be able to improve and we don't have any major holes to fill. We have a pretty complete team, and teams take a long time to develop championship chemistry. Maybe things will come together for us at the right time in a year or two, but this team has a chance to be really, really good without any changes to the roster. The challenge will be keeping Rose, Jennings, and Holiday this summer. That is probably where the Noah contract may hurt us the most. At this point i am hoping to keep at least Rose and Jennings, and if we can't keep Holiday, we can find a quality replacement in the draft or overseas like Phil has done. Holiday might be seen as that missing rotation piece to a few teams this summer, especially when you consider what a guy like Evan Turner got, and Holiday might be a better fit for most teams as a role player. We will have challenges maintaining this group, but hopefully we can get creative this summer and continue to build. We are going to have, what maybe 30 mil in cap space. Its going to be very hard to keep Rose and Jennings or Rose and Holiday at best. No way we are able to keep all 3. One of them will have to be replaced with our draft selection, if not 2 of them.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EnySpree wrote:We have a well balanced and professional roster. I'm expecting the scouting report to adjust entering the holiday season and new year...

If you remember Milsap of the Atlanta Hawks couldn't believe they lost to the worst defensive team in the nba. We have grown exponentially since then. It's almost to the point where we can count on winning certain games...Almost

I'm looking at the roster and the only way this team can really improve is from within. This team doesn't need a trade at this point. Individually each player stands to improve their square. Nobody is playing their best yet. At the same time, as a team we have yet to peak or get into a smooth flow yet.

We have great depth at every position. How can we really get better? Who can we get that's better than what we have without messing up chemistry?

Consider the fact that we are 24 games in and already look pretty good, we will continue to get better as the year goes on. And year 2. And year 3. If you keep this group together, reasonable healthy permitting, you can only go up with improved chemistry and internal growth of the young guys. Porzingis will grow into true star, Willy will grow into a great role player, and whomever we draft this summer will hopefully become a part of the rotation. For the first time this millennium, we should be able to improve and we don't have any major holes to fill. We have a pretty complete team, and teams take a long time to develop championship chemistry. Maybe things will come together for us at the right time in a year or two, but this team has a chance to be really, really good without any changes to the roster. The challenge will be keeping Rose, Jennings, and Holiday this summer. That is probably where the Noah contract may hurt us the most. At this point i am hoping to keep at least Rose and Jennings, and if we can't keep Holiday, we can find a quality replacement in the draft or overseas like Phil has done. Holiday might be seen as that missing rotation piece to a few teams this summer, especially when you consider what a guy like Evan Turner got, and Holiday might be a better fit for most teams as a role player. We will have challenges maintaining this group, but hopefully we can get creative this summer and continue to build. We are going to have, what maybe 30 mil in cap space. Its going to be very hard to keep Rose and Jennings or Rose and Holiday at best. No way we are able to keep all 3. One of them will have to be replaced with our draft selection, if not 2 of them.

Agreed. Unless you trade the likes of LT or KOQ thinking that Cuz, Willy step up. Lotta hard decisions to make in offseason but it's good to be in that spot.

KOQ will be a hard person to trade. With Noah always a question mark, and his perfect fit here, he is so valuable to what we do. Either Thomas or Kuz would be the most expendable in my opinion. But i agree, its not a bad spot to be in. We have a lot of depth.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EnySpree wrote:We have a well balanced and professional roster. I'm expecting the scouting report to adjust entering the holiday season and new year...

If you remember Milsap of the Atlanta Hawks couldn't believe they lost to the worst defensive team in the nba. We have grown exponentially since then. It's almost to the point where we can count on winning certain games...Almost

I'm looking at the roster and the only way this team can really improve is from within. This team doesn't need a trade at this point. Individually each player stands to improve their square. Nobody is playing their best yet. At the same time, as a team we have yet to peak or get into a smooth flow yet.

We have great depth at every position. How can we really get better? Who can we get that's better than what we have without messing up chemistry?

Consider the fact that we are 24 games in and already look pretty good, we will continue to get better as the year goes on. And year 2. And year 3. If you keep this group together, reasonable healthy permitting, you can only go up with improved chemistry and internal growth of the young guys. Porzingis will grow into true star, Willy will grow into a great role player, and whomever we draft this summer will hopefully become a part of the rotation. For the first time this millennium, we should be able to improve and we don't have any major holes to fill. We have a pretty complete team, and teams take a long time to develop championship chemistry. Maybe things will come together for us at the right time in a year or two, but this team has a chance to be really, really good without any changes to the roster. The challenge will be keeping Rose, Jennings, and Holiday this summer. That is probably where the Noah contract may hurt us the most. At this point i am hoping to keep at least Rose and Jennings, and if we can't keep Holiday, we can find a quality replacement in the draft or overseas like Phil has done. Holiday might be seen as that missing rotation piece to a few teams this summer, especially when you consider what a guy like Evan Turner got, and Holiday might be a better fit for most teams as a role player. We will have challenges maintaining this group, but hopefully we can get creative this summer and continue to build. We are going to have, what maybe 30 mil in cap space. Its going to be very hard to keep Rose and Jennings or Rose and Holiday at best. No way we are able to keep all 3. One of them will have to be replaced with our draft selection, if not 2 of them.

Agreed. Unless you trade the likes of LT or KOQ thinking that Cuz, Willy step up. Lotta hard decisions to make in offseason but it's good to be in that spot.

granted that Rose has been running the offense just fine and has picked his spots recently quite well, but 20 mill...?? i wouldn't do that for a guy who had back spasms recently and does have an injury history. jennings at 10, new draftee, randle, perhaps thats what we might end up with to keep flexibilty at all other positions.

if jennings doesn't prove to be starter material end of year...i think we end up losing both rose and jennings.

Cartman718 wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EnySpree wrote:We have a well balanced and professional roster. I'm expecting the scouting report to adjust entering the holiday season and new year...

If you remember Milsap of the Atlanta Hawks couldn't believe they lost to the worst defensive team in the nba. We have grown exponentially since then. It's almost to the point where we can count on winning certain games...Almost

I'm looking at the roster and the only way this team can really improve is from within. This team doesn't need a trade at this point. Individually each player stands to improve their square. Nobody is playing their best yet. At the same time, as a team we have yet to peak or get into a smooth flow yet.

We have great depth at every position. How can we really get better? Who can we get that's better than what we have without messing up chemistry?

Consider the fact that we are 24 games in and already look pretty good, we will continue to get better as the year goes on. And year 2. And year 3. If you keep this group together, reasonable healthy permitting, you can only go up with improved chemistry and internal growth of the young guys. Porzingis will grow into true star, Willy will grow into a great role player, and whomever we draft this summer will hopefully become a part of the rotation. For the first time this millennium, we should be able to improve and we don't have any major holes to fill. We have a pretty complete team, and teams take a long time to develop championship chemistry. Maybe things will come together for us at the right time in a year or two, but this team has a chance to be really, really good without any changes to the roster. The challenge will be keeping Rose, Jennings, and Holiday this summer. That is probably where the Noah contract may hurt us the most. At this point i am hoping to keep at least Rose and Jennings, and if we can't keep Holiday, we can find a quality replacement in the draft or overseas like Phil has done. Holiday might be seen as that missing rotation piece to a few teams this summer, especially when you consider what a guy like Evan Turner got, and Holiday might be a better fit for most teams as a role player. We will have challenges maintaining this group, but hopefully we can get creative this summer and continue to build. We are going to have, what maybe 30 mil in cap space. Its going to be very hard to keep Rose and Jennings or Rose and Holiday at best. No way we are able to keep all 3. One of them will have to be replaced with our draft selection, if not 2 of them.

Agreed. Unless you trade the likes of LT or KOQ thinking that Cuz, Willy step up. Lotta hard decisions to make in offseason but it's good to be in that spot.

granted that Rose has been running the offense just fine and has picked his spots recently quite well, but 20 mill...?? i wouldn't do that for a guy who had back spasms recently and does have an injury history. jennings at 10, new draftee, randle, perhaps thats what we might end up with to keep flexibilty at all other positions.

if jennings doesn't prove to be starter material end of year...i think we end up losing both rose and jennings.

For me this is a very tough posture to take especially regarding the downside of losing a starting level PG.

Let's take the position that Rose stays healthy for the season. $20M is very reasonable money for a starting quality player. Turn Rose down and who do you fill that spot with? Not a ton of options and you will need to overpay anyway.

Don't fill it with Rose - and can't get the likes of CP3, Lowry, Hill, etc. - are you willing to take a step backwards in that position as well as in regards to the team moving forward?

If anything, I think the team tries to figure out how to keep both Rose and Jennings and Holiday is odd man out (plus he is the easiest position player to replace).

martin wrote:

Cartman718 wrote:

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EnySpree wrote:We have a well balanced and professional roster. I'm expecting the scouting report to adjust entering the holiday season and new year...

If you remember Milsap of the Atlanta Hawks couldn't believe they lost to the worst defensive team in the nba. We have grown exponentially since then. It's almost to the point where we can count on winning certain games...Almost

I'm looking at the roster and the only way this team can really improve is from within. This team doesn't need a trade at this point. Individually each player stands to improve their square. Nobody is playing their best yet. At the same time, as a team we have yet to peak or get into a smooth flow yet.

We have great depth at every position. How can we really get better? Who can we get that's better than what we have without messing up chemistry?

Consider the fact that we are 24 games in and already look pretty good, we will continue to get better as the year goes on. And year 2. And year 3. If you keep this group together, reasonable healthy permitting, you can only go up with improved chemistry and internal growth of the young guys. Porzingis will grow into true star, Willy will grow into a great role player, and whomever we draft this summer will hopefully become a part of the rotation. For the first time this millennium, we should be able to improve and we don't have any major holes to fill. We have a pretty complete team, and teams take a long time to develop championship chemistry. Maybe things will come together for us at the right time in a year or two, but this team has a chance to be really, really good without any changes to the roster. The challenge will be keeping Rose, Jennings, and Holiday this summer. That is probably where the Noah contract may hurt us the most. At this point i am hoping to keep at least Rose and Jennings, and if we can't keep Holiday, we can find a quality replacement in the draft or overseas like Phil has done. Holiday might be seen as that missing rotation piece to a few teams this summer, especially when you consider what a guy like Evan Turner got, and Holiday might be a better fit for most teams as a role player. We will have challenges maintaining this group, but hopefully we can get creative this summer and continue to build. We are going to have, what maybe 30 mil in cap space. Its going to be very hard to keep Rose and Jennings or Rose and Holiday at best. No way we are able to keep all 3. One of them will have to be replaced with our draft selection, if not 2 of them.

Agreed. Unless you trade the likes of LT or KOQ thinking that Cuz, Willy step up. Lotta hard decisions to make in offseason but it's good to be in that spot.

granted that Rose has been running the offense just fine and has picked his spots recently quite well, but 20 mill...?? i wouldn't do that for a guy who had back spasms recently and does have an injury history. jennings at 10, new draftee, randle, perhaps thats what we might end up with to keep flexibilty at all other positions.

if jennings doesn't prove to be starter material end of year...i think we end up losing both rose and jennings.

For me this is a very tough posture to take especially regarding the downside of losing a starting level PG.

Let's take the position that Rose stays healthy for the season. $20M is very reasonable money for a starting quality player. Turn Rose down and who do you fill that spot with? Not a ton of options and you will need to overpay anyway.

Don't fill it with Rose - and can't get the likes of CP3, Lowry, Hill, etc. - are you willing to take a step backwards in that position as well as in regards to the team moving forward?

If anything, I think the team tries to figure out how to keep both Rose and Jennings and Holiday is odd man out (plus he is the easiest position player to replace).

Exactly right. We of all fans should know how hard it is to have quality starting PGs. We finally have a PG who can really make a difference and we are going to pinch pennies because of his injury history. He's only 28 years old. Sometimes we have to take a chance. I too think we will try to work to get the Rose/Jennings combo back. I really like it. It's winning me over. It is a luxury hopefully we can afford. Holiday will likely have to be replaced, but for once we have draft picks. It is a good time to be a knicks fan.

nixluva wrote:

fishmike wrote:It’s a good post and a good question, and I think the simple answer is this whole year is about what you said.. improving from within.
Can DadMelo return? Can we see less ball holding and more defense from Melo?
Can KP be more balanced between sagging off his man to help vs. not giving up open 3’s to the stretch 4s he has to defend?
Can Rose bring up that assist total with more basic drive and dish on those P&R plays?
Can Jennings find more balance between jacking and dishing?
Can KOQ sustain his incredible bench play?
Can Willy continue to grow?
Can this bench sustain its good play?
Can Lee continue his shooting? Can we find him more open looks?
Can the Knicks play defense in 4 quarters?
Can the coach sustain his leadership?

I think most of these answers can be YES.

I think the #1 thing is the last one… coaching. I think what we are seeing is an excellent job with by this coach. What do I see that tells me this you ask?

-Great effort after losses. Whatever JH says after these losses the team comes out motivated and ready to erase the prior failures
-Burn for everyone. We have 11 guys with Lance back that get minutes. Kuz/Willy are on the fence, but when they DO get minutes they don’t get yanked in our out. JH gives them a nice stretch to get warm and play. I have noticed this with most of his subs.
-System favors his personnel. Much has been made of triangle vs. P&R. The offense has been simple to start the season, and everyone seems to at least get a chance to get buckets where they are most comfortable.

Phil hasn’t been perfect, but after 2 years of wiping out the roster and figuring out what he wants from his coach I think we have a good mix, are trending upward and have plenty of room to continue to grow.

I think this year is simply about growing, playing together and seeing where we are at the end of the year. How do we match vs. the better teams? How do we do in the playoffs? The “process” just got a lot more enjoyable

Excellent Post!

I have to say that whatever issues Phil may have, he did the right things in putting together this roster for the most part. It's easy to nitpick at everything but man is it hard to build a good team. A lot of us were VERY happy with Phil bringing in Jeff Hornacek and really it was a very key move to make this all come together. Jeff has done a great job of not panicking but rather being patient but also proactive when needed. The team is responding to his coaching.

Good point about JH. I have admired how he has given everyone, for the most part, a chance to contribute. And made sure the guys expected to have important roles get substantial minutes to work out any kinks and fit in. Also like the way he rewards the guy that is playing well. You just dont hear much about the job he is doing but thats no surprise, in NY we only talk about the things pissing us off. He deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done thus far.