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Let’s keep this **** going!

martin wrote:I do wonder what the Knicks think of the Brunson-KAT dynamic. Both are obviously great players but both are also somewhere between below average and horrendous defenders. Can their collective offensive greatness overcome what they give up on defense? Playing 3 vs 5 defensively ain’t gonna cut it against top level teams.

And additionally, how do you overcome the ball pressure against Brunson? He just doesn’t have that game like Kyrie and especially so when he is hobbling a bit. Josh, Mikal, OG, Deuce collectively don’t seem good enough. Cam was good enough in the 4th but is that really good enough against better teams?

I think the answer is to study the Celtics. They have the knack for hiding defensive weaknesses

I feel similarly on ball pressure. More an issue of tactics than needing another top ball handling pg.

martin wrote:Brunson played 40 minutes and had 34 and 8 and still had an off game, right? Man that’s wild

Yea I was pretty shocked to see when he had 33 points at the end because it felt like he was off all game until the end.

VDesai wrote:Im not taking about OG enough. He eliminated Cade. Unbelievable defense.

He was terrific yesterday no doubt.

1) Allowing Mikal to handle the ball more. To start the game, he moved Jalen off ball, and ran him off screens. I have been begging him to do this all season. Instead of Ausar Thompson hounding him with a fullcourt press which results in Brunson expending energy/time getting it up court. Ausar was forced to chase him around through screens and picked up two quick fouls in the process.

2)Having a better feel for the game. Too many times he either takes someone out too late or takes them out too soon. He recognized that Shamet and Deuce just didn't have it, he took them out, and rode with Cam. I also liked that he rode the hot hand and didn't remove him for Mikal in the 4th.

3) Played Cam Payne as a secondary ballhandler. One of the reasons I didn't like Cam earlier in the season, is he would sometimes just pound the ball into the floor and then just jack up a shot without creating anything on offense. Last night, Thibs paired him with either Deuce or Jalen, where they were the primary ball handler, and Cam was more like a SG. I have no problem with him when his shots are catch and shoot or quick decisive drives to the basket. When he plays like he did last night, he becomes what we've been missing, that kinda crazy hot/cold instant offense player in the Starks, JR Smith, DDV mold. To me it should be Payne vs Shamet, whoever has it rolling should play.

BTW I was reading the Piston's board and one of their posters made some very interesting unbiased observations:

The box score won't really tell the story on how the 4th quarter played out. Starting with that 5 second call we were completely taken out of of the game. NYs' length is definitely a problem but our inexperience was also a major factor.

I enjoyed watching Brunson sorta bust out while with Dallas and his emergence the first year with the Knicks... but I can already tell that his constant foul hunting is going to irritate the **** out of me all series. I hope the refs don't constantly bail him out. It's going to be chippy enough we don't need these bs calls when he's jumping into guys and initiating the contact. Brunson is going to make some tough shots and will probably have some big games, but I think we'll also be able to limit his effectiveness at times and wear him down as the series progresses.

KAT is the real problem. I don't know how we answer him. Like... no clue. He's not prime Shaq or anything, but offensively the dude is just a beast and we're way undersized. Even more so with their 2-big lineup. That dude is going to have a monster series.

OG played a hell of game too. Probably the best player on the court through all 4 quarters and maybe that's secretly the biggest problem. Like,... in my brain KAT & Brunson are going to get theirs kinda no matter what. You can try and make them tough shots but those guys are tough covers & elite shot makers. If OG is playing like this as a "3rd" or "4th" option... that's kinda scary. With Hart & Robinson etc these guys have the tools to give CLE/BOS problems. Health has sorta been their biggest issue this season.

Uptown wrote:Much has been made of Kat and Brunsons shortcomings on defense when they share the court.
But what's more concerning to me is the lack offensive chemistry they have. there was a stretch in the winter when it looked like they were figuring some things out offensively, but lately, Brunson just seems to use Kat as a floor spacer or to get a switch when Kat sets a pick. Brunson rarely passes to Kat out of the pick n roll or pick n pop.....However, Kat and Cam Payne have really good chemistry and play well together. Kat usually goes on a scoring run when Cam comes because he is more of a classic PNR point guard.

Those 2 definitely need more reps together or something. Not smooth at all

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:

martin wrote:

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Good call! Martin predicted Payne's 4th quarter run!

I can hate the player but love his game