On defense Precious and other defensive minded players could do that or a 70% version of what IHart brought on the defensive end. IHart defensive ws was elite but having good enough defensive minded players could help.
On offense Randle could be the passer and facilitator IHart was last year. When he's locked in, Randle can be a good passer and could function as a sort of hub with the added bonus of his triple menace capability.

What do you think?

Rookie wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:The offensive part of IHart's game will be filled by Randle. I am hoping they put Julius in a lot of PnR situations and a lot of high post situations. The defensive part will be covered by our slew of backup Cs

We’re going to have to wait and see how much banging Randle is going to do with that shoulder. For all we know Randle could be a volume 22% perimeter shooter until he gets enough confidence in the shoulder without a new contract….just saying, it’s also a business and business men make business decisions

If plays scared with that shoulder, let him walk. Nobody will want him either. Just business.
The banging is not the hard part. Its reaching for rebounds. Going to the rim, and getting tangled up going for the ball.

Philc1 wrote:When did Hartenstein become Hakeem Olajuwon?

Hartenstein was a first rate glue guy for us. No superstar, but we need someone to fill his shoes.

shinmen wrote:We've talked about how important the loss of IHart is going to be next season. He was very good for us on offense and defense.
How could Thibs could replace his production on both side of the floor? I think it's not necessary the same player that could do offense and defense.

On defense Precious and other defensive minded players could do that or a 70% version of what IHart brought on the defensive end. IHart defensive ws was elite but having good enough defensive minded players could help.
On offense Randle could be the passer and facilitator IHart was last year. When he's locked in, Randle can be a good passer and could function as a sort of hub with the added bonus of his triple menace capability.

What do you think?

I don't know if you've heard, but he didn't have much impact and are a dime a dozen out there.

NYKBocker wrote:Hukporti I think has some IHart in him. His float game around the basket on rolls is pretty impressive. I don't know about his passing skills. Need more eval

Mitch and iHart bought out the dog in each other. iHart, who got a massive deal really evolved after mitch went down. I think we forget his window of his intense contribution was the peroid he became a starter after game 27! he missed two games in January, one vs. BKN and the other where knicks blew out at home an tired Denver team by 38!
Make no bones about it, his defense will be missed. His offensive board work will be missed. The passing and floater as well.

As structured a lot of weight is on mitch. Back up? First up is simm who is playing for his career now. He could rise up and be a serviceable back up, or fall into the oblivion where 26 year old players with no contract and little results go. He has the physical tools no doubt. Not sure about his motor, or his IQ. He makes mistakes on defense and Thibs is relentless about that. The fouls.......Oye!!!!
Huk? Can he play defense like Thibs wants? He has a big body around the rim at 7 foot but he is 22, played down under were they play just 28 regular season games.
Good backup avg. 18min a game. Im assuming they play 40min games? Played two years there and has nice per 36 and if translates he could be a keeper.

Issue becomes if Mitch misses 20-30 games? Well there in lies the rub and the fun part.
All the talk about Randle and his neutral value becomes valid. If his trade value is limited, if his extension offer is not to his expectation and he walk, then we lose him and a trade chip no matter how limited his value is.

Leon tends to not get ****ed over and while I don't want this to be a "randle trade thread", the fact might be he could be the key on or off the court either as a part time 5, a chip, or cap space in another dimension I can't see.