Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1465409537788235783

I dont ever remember Burks being the solid defender he is with us, but he's been really good and he's certainly earned more playing time the old fashioned way... just playing good phuckin basketball

I also hope this puts the ball back in Randle's handles because when he handles it early and often we see that great facilitating. When Kemba/EF are trying to "get going" and Randle touches it less he's a black hole. I really trust Thibs... this had to be a tough call. I expect results.

11-9 is a good starting point to start the dominating run.

fishmike wrote:Really pretty incredible:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1465409537788235783

I dont ever remember Burks being the solid defender he is with us, but he's been really good and he's certainly earned more playing time the old fashioned way... just playing good phuckin basketball

I also hope this puts the ball back in Randle's handles because when he handles it early and often we see that great facilitating. When Kemba/EF are trying to "get going" and Randle touches it less he's a black hole. I really trust Thibs... this had to be a tough call. I expect results.

11-9 is a good starting point to start the dominating run.

So essentially without Kemba the Knicks are exactly who they were last year defensively, and a better offensive team due to the addition of Fournier and improvements from Quickley and Toppin. I think that’s what we all wanted. Let’s see if now the on-court product backs up the numbers.

It's called chemistry.

HELLO.

Jmpasq wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:The Knicks Defense of last year after only 20 games wasn't even top 20. But yet they finished #1.

It's called chemistry.

HELLO.

Maybe but a coach can't ignore those numbers. Thats pretty damning

Throughout 20 games last year? NY held their opponents to 100 or under 100 points (4x).

Throughout 20 games THIS YEAR? NY held their opponents to 100 points or under 100 points (8x).

We're actually playing much better team Defense this year in comparison to last year (throughout our 1st 20 games).

fishmike wrote:Really pretty incredible:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1465409537788235783

I dont ever remember Burks being the solid defender he is with us, but he's been really good and he's certainly earned more playing time the old fashioned way... just playing good phuckin basketball

I also hope this puts the ball back in Randle's handles because when he handles it early and often we see that great facilitating. When Kemba/EF are trying to "get going" and Randle touches it less he's a black hole. I really trust Thibs... this had to be a tough call. I expect results.

11-9 is a good starting point to start the dominating run.

Oh yeah….Burks was stuck behind bullock and RJ. Remember RJ was at SG and Bullock at SF. RJ rarely came out and Burks defense was on par with bullock. But Burks was better defending PG and SG. But he was forced to play a lot of SF and that’s not his natural position.

This year he knows what to expect from Thibs and how defense will get him more playing time. Seems like everybody usually steps up in the off season preparing for thibs defensive conditioning that’s needed to earn playing time this season. Also with RJ playing SF, Burks can play SG or PG.

But Burks always been a solid 2 way guard back in his Utah jazz days. He’s a perfect player for thibs. Do it all type of player with enough defense and length to play a good switch type defense between RJ, Burks and EF. They all play 3 positions so switching went from a negative to a positive by removing Kemba. Thats what thibs was missing when ELF left. He like long guards that play defense and get to the rim.

Burks can play the Charlie ward role on a championship team. Steps up when needed and a players coach who will lead by example on both sides.

I was really impressed with his defense on smaller guards. Didn’t know he had the lateral quickness to guard Trae. Solid move by thibs. That’s why I love this coach.

I guess it’s only fair too. He has no problem yanking Obi for the slightest thing. It’s definitely a message to send to the team. We are fortunate to be above .500 still.

HofstraBBall wrote:

fishmike wrote:Really pretty incredible:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1465409537788235783

I dont ever remember Burks being the solid defender he is with us, but he's been really good and he's certainly earned more playing time the old fashioned way... just playing good phuckin basketball

I also hope this puts the ball back in Randle's handles because when he handles it early and often we see that great facilitating. When Kemba/EF are trying to "get going" and Randle touches it less he's a black hole. I really trust Thibs... this had to be a tough call. I expect results.

11-9 is a good starting point to start the dominating run.

That would be the mic drop for a defensive coach. Trust in Thibs. Do you think Kemba wants out?

I think Kemba sits, takes it like a pro and does great in spot duty when Rose is out and Kemba runs in with the 2nd unit. Maybe that's kumbaya, but I dont see the teams lining up to give Kemba a bunch of playing time. He can still play a useful role here give us some feel good moments

blkexec wrote:

fishmike wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

fishmike wrote:Really pretty incredible:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1465409537788235783

I dont ever remember Burks being the solid defender he is with us, but he's been really good and he's certainly earned more playing time the old fashioned way... just playing good phuckin basketball

I also hope this puts the ball back in Randle's handles because when he handles it early and often we see that great facilitating. When Kemba/EF are trying to "get going" and Randle touches it less he's a black hole. I really trust Thibs... this had to be a tough call. I expect results.

11-9 is a good starting point to start the dominating run.

That would be the mic drop for a defensive coach. Trust in Thibs. Do you think Kemba wants out?

No because Thibs and his staff are pros and really sensitive to who Kemba is and what he's done in the league and the reason Kemba is benched isnt because he's not liked or not trying hard, its because he's not effective and I am pretty sure that's showing out in the film sessions. All the talk about accountability if a guy isnt doing the job and you have others that can the rest should be history. Its a league where there are other factors such as salary and a team's investment in a player's development. Kemba isnt a max player we need to get right (like Ranbdle) and he's not a developmental guy we are committed to (like RJ).

I think Kemba sits, takes it like a pro and does great in spot duty when Rose is out and Kemba runs in with the 2nd unit. Maybe that's kumbaya, but I dont see the teams lining up to give Kemba a bunch of playing time. He can still play a useful role here give us some feel good moments

I agree with you. But Thibs comment about Kemba is not only benched but out of the rotation. I never heard this type of treatment to a player, unless he's a locker room cancer (for example Ben Simmons or Kyrie). So Thibs will be treading thin ice if and when Rose is not available.

Does Thibs go str8 to McBride as the PG back fill for Rose? Does he keep pulling Kemba in and out of rotation? I think at this point Kemba would be a great mentor / PG coach on the sideline or during huddles. But if Kemba wants to play and he said physically he feels great, then we should trade him to a team of his choice. Otherwise, I cant see Kemba just sitting on the bench and not playing, but still happy to be on the team. That will get old real fast.

Just think about the next game we lose or the next bad game from Burks. The NY media will run to Kemba for his take. NY media is very aggressive and always looking for drama, even if it's not there. So lets hope Kemba takes it like a professional and tries to help the team from whatever seat he has moving forward. Must watched game tonight. Knick fans will be up and ready to flood the Barclay Center with orange and blue. Can't wait.

Wont be surprised if Thibs does to Kemba, what hw did to Rivers last year....

smackeddog wrote:I do wonder if the benches stats (on defense and offense and +-) are inflated because the starters have got us so far behind, the opposing team are coasting by the time the bench are on the court due to having a huge lead

What im even more concern about is how could 1 player be held accountable for the other 4 players defense, especially since he primarily only played with the starting unit.

More people were questioning Fournier's overall defense and Randle and Mitch's lazy perimeter defense than Kemba, was he just a Fall guy here?

Allan Houston was one of the worst defenders in the league on the best defensive team in the league.