KP is in a good situation for his skill set. Last night he was there best player on both sides.
I have no issue when they went after him to the rim. Get him in foul trouble or wear him out.
Did it work? Not really, he came up big at times.
Lets give the defense some credit. They did a good job on Tatum in second half. RJ was on him a good bit.
"starting IQ"........Who ****ing cares, he came in and did a great job. You need the boost from him and he was a big part of the game. If you Start him, you dilute both him and Brunson. His playmaking is still suspect at times.
Randle? He looked like a player who did not play much this summer. He didn't.
Brunson? Maybe the "Allstar, maybe all pro" thing is a small stretch? We hyped him up pretty good. But his play will dictate things. No need to label yet. He looked rusty perhaps had taken needed rest time after Fiba and an over due vacation/honeymoon.
He was brilliant last year under lower expectations. The bar went up on him.
RJ: Kid carried us at times to prevent a blow out. Perhaps we over looked his defense on Tatum and his playmaking. Seems we might just be lulled into incremental growth and not impressed as a fan base.
He seemed to have added more moves to the rim and as noted by Rivers is a strong kid.
Grimes.....I'd like to see more from him and some clutch moments. Im ok with Thibs and co. developing him over the season. He was guarding Tatum also. Not an easy task.
We saw ball movement on the parameter at times. This is why Grimes needs to be there and do his thing. The ball will swing.
Randle gets a rusty pass given his summer. Bottom line is Boston is and will be very good and we about went toe to toe with them. It was a winnable game. They too will improve.
KP: Marci said it well that "I don't hate him anymore" and perhaps its that he has been a ex knick longer than he was one. He also said "While not a great player, he is pretty good when healthy". Nalod agrees there. Randle for all his warts has been a better player and the picks we go, and still will get might have had a better yield in the long run. Make no bones about it, he is on a very good team. Getting Holiday was an improvement over Smart and KP opens things up for them and visa versa.
Brown for them is like a Supermax RJ. Frustrating player with suspect handle. Not a bad player, in fact he is on the cusp but has not crossed over FOR THAT KIND OF MONEY.
Extending IQ: speaking of money, its always about the money!!!!