nycericanguy wrote:I mean anyone that said KAT wasn't a huge upgrade over Randle doesn't know ball sorry. The Mikal trade was an understandable overpay but it's offset by the fact that we stole KAT.

Rose had a plan when he traded RJ and IQ for OG and it wasn’t to permanently team up OG with Randle and DDV. He was bringing in superstars. I’m loving it.

Randle is an All-Star level and very good player but KAT is an elite MVP level franchise level player and those are almost impossible to acquire unless you luck out and draft them.

nycericanguy wrote:I mean anyone that said KAT wasn't a huge upgrade over Randle doesn't know ball sorry. The Mikal trade was an understandable overpay but it's offset by the fact that we stole KAT.

+1

What I find worse though was the HoW aRe We GoNnA rEpLaCe DdV?

EwingsGlass wrote:

Philc1 wrote:Randle was and still is a good player but KAT is a superstar. DDV had a very good season for the Knicks last year but he’s really an ok to decent bench player. Mikal is a borderline superstar and the Knicks are a team nobody will want to face in the playoffs especially if they have Mitch available.

In a way, yes. For some of us, this kind of performance is the natural consequence of the kinds of players we got. I don’t think anyone could predict the improvement KAT has shown here, though the trade made sense regardless based solely on positional size.

Mikal has gotten the most criticism based on cost but I don’t believe that has ever been fair. Bogs to Bridges cost a bit, but it was a missing piece situation.

The trades have left us a bit depleted and we are a bit heavy on rookies, but we also are a bit heavy on contract control.

I think we are a trade and/or free agency cycle away from the “team”, but this team can really make some noise. Note that Boston and Cleveland are a cycle or two ahead of us in their all in moments.

So much will be tied to Bridges performance, but I don’t believe that believe he earns out.

KAT has numerous 25/12/4 type seasons under his belt on elite efficiency. This is who he's always been.

BigDaddyG wrote:Macri brought up good point Of Randle put up 50 points and the Wolves won by 20, would you have said the Knicks lost the trade? The answer is no. It's a long season. I think KAT's overall offensive efficiency this already season speaks volumes. If the Knicks end up winning 50 games and losing in the second round will that change your mind into thinking the trade was a mistake? There are still moves to be made. That said I'm just glad to see the team improve as the season goes on.

Im long that even the best "Super teams" need more than one season to ramp up to championship caliber.
In the age of parity and this CBA, and Windhorst alluded to this weeks ago that there need be time, or "trade cycles" to round out the roster.
We need more depth. Precious is still ramping up and on a one year deal. The first 5 minutes of the game he had those "precious moments" were the shots are there, but he looked to have the "Yips". OK, first start, still not in great shape, and big game atmosphere and national TV audience. We won and he played good enough to contribute. I hope he blows my concerns away and we still have enough money to resign him! Better yet, we are champs this year. Please let me be wrong........
but Im on the long road to enjoying the journey and still would think year two is when the window is really open. Other teams are also vying for the same things and sometimes its not the knicks "failing", its about the better team.

Meanwhile in San Antonio they have a skinny kid with range and a handle that is scaring the **** out of me! He turns 21 I think this month. These kids really don't figure it out until what? 25-26 years old. We get him Christmas day. Think he won't be amped up for that game? Im sure Thibs will have something cooked up for him and our guys will be prepared but will they execute it?
Wemby is the new messiah!!! (not yet)

BigDaddyG wrote:Macri brought up good point Of Randle put up 50 points and the Wolves won by 20, would you have said the Knicks lost the trade? The answer is no. It's a long season. I think KAT's overall offensive efficiency this already season speaks volumes. If the Knicks end up winning 50 games and losing in the second round will that change your mind into thinking the trade was a mistake? There are still moves to be made. That said I'm just glad to see the team improve as the season goes on.

I agree but if Randle put up a 50-burger last night and the wolves win this messageboard would be a sh tshow today.

EwingsGlass wrote:

Philc1 wrote:Randle was and still is a good player but KAT is a superstar. DDV had a very good season for the Knicks last year but he’s really an ok to decent bench player. Mikal is a borderline superstar and the Knicks are a team nobody will want to face in the playoffs especially if they have Mitch available.

In a way, yes. For some of us, this kind of performance is the natural consequence of the kinds of players we got. I don’t think anyone could predict the improvement KAT has shown here, though the trade made sense regardless based solely on positional size.

Mikal has gotten the most criticism based on cost but I don’t believe that has ever been fair. Bogs to Bridges cost a bit, but it was a missing piece situation.

The trades have left us a bit depleted and we are a bit heavy on rookies, but we also are a bit heavy on contract control.

I think we are a trade and/or free agency cycle away from the “team”, but this team can really make some noise. Note that Boston and Cleveland are a cycle or two ahead of us in their all in moments.

So much will be tied to Bridges performance, but I don’t believe that believe he earns out.

In a way, yes. For some of us, this kind of performance is the natural consequence of the kinds of players we got. I don’t think anyone could predict the improvement KAT has shown here, though the trade made sense regardless based solely on positional size.

I never predicted his stat increase. But I predicted a positive impact on our team both sides. And overall synergy, Especially replacing a 6’9 Forward for a7’0 Forward. Add in Kat is NOT a black hole which is perfect for our captain, no brainer and easy prediction. Which is why DDV may have looked like an over pay but Leon was banking on the positive impact out weighing depth which is easily fixable vs surrounding JB with all star caliber players. These guys would fit on any championship team. Place a superstar with this group and you will always be title contenders. Cam Payne may be that championship piece that puts us over who knows. It’s a long season.

Mikal
Kat
OG
Josh (triple down man)
Deuce (ultimate six man)

That trade unlocked Deuce which is an underrated impact on the positives that continue to grow like the stock market, just listen to his postgame, full of mature confidence. It’s like Leon was baking a roast (knew him as a rookie correct?) and knew it was only a matter of time before Kat was free AND READY to lead NYC to its next chip.

Love Randle and miss his bully type style and energy. It’s like I was always happy the bully is on our team and not there’s. Until BIG BODY BRUNSON arrived. Randles replacement……Can’t have two bullies plus Mitch. On paper that’s clunky. KAT smoothes out all those problems in ONE MOVE.

Leon the great.

When we get a chip I hope Leon gets what he deserves. Best move by Dolan. Hired him and got out his way.