NYKBocker wrote:My adjustment would be start Mitch and get Josh off the bench. KAT and JB needs defensive support and Josh is just not giving that right now vs this team.

this is what I would do too. I get the logic about starting deuce but I think Mitch would be more impactful. Dominate the boards; get KAT the focus on offense early; make it less likely KAT gets in early foul trouble. It's more likely to reboot things in a way that I don't think Indiana has an answer for

Starting Deuce would have certain benefits but also detriments. We give up rebounding by sitting Hart, and rebounding should be our advantage. We also give up size

Frankly I don't think Thibs will change the starting line up, but he should at least be making subs based on what's happening on the court as opposed to getting hypnotized by the game clock and saying this guy goes in at this time and that guy at some other time

We let Pascal good off for too long in the first quarter, and first half. Game prior it was Nesmith

JesseDark wrote:Thibs can't be afraid to make in game adjustments. Next game if McConnell is hot for them make an adjustment.

Thibs usually does a good job of making pre-game adjustments, in-game adjustments are a foreign concept to Thibs. Whatever the game plan is, he is tsicking with it regardless of what is unfolding before his eyes. Meanwhile, Rick Carlise isn't afraid to mix it up and do what needs to be done to win the game at hand. The fact that Carlise gave Tony Bradley 8 mins to counter Robinson speaks volumes. Bradley played 8 mins in the Cavs series and that was in gargabe time of two blowouts. Payne is gving us nothing and would rather see Wright get all of his minutes moving forward. His size and defensive potential on the perimeter can be useful.

Uptown wrote:

JesseDark wrote:Thibs can't be afraid to make in game adjustments. Next game if McConnell is hot for them make an adjustment.

Thubs usually does a good job of making pre-game adjustments, in-game adjustments are a foreign concept to Thibs. Whatever the game plan is, he is tsicking with it regardless of what is unfolding before his eyes. Meanwhile, Rick Carlise isn't afraid to mix it up and dod what needs to be done to win the game at hand. The fact that Carlise gave Tony Bradley 8 mins to counter Robinson speaks volumes. Bradley played 8 mins in the Cavs series and that was in gargabe time of two blowouts. Payne is gving us nothing and would rather see Wright get all of his monutes moving forward. His size and defensive potential on the perimeter can be useful.

Well said. Watching Thibs impliment his system. It feels like the Knicks are tying one hand behind their back. Needlessly making things tougher than it has to be.

What is a coach saying about players who could get some minutes in the regular season, but cant get any PT in the playoffs?

Thibs isnt there to make players feel good about themselves beyond performance. Carlisle trusts his bench, and they are rewarding him for it. Thibs doesnt, never has, and the Knicks are paying for it.

DLeethal wrote:Also with how we play with Deuce shows how bad we miss a guy like Dante. Brunson needs a flamethrower next to him IMO. Mikal and OG just aren’t good enough or quick enough shooters from deep. When McBride is getting shots off there’s just a whole different energy out there.

It’s a good point. Should be KAT flaming out there

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Also with how we play with Deuce shows how bad we miss a guy like Dante. Brunson needs a flamethrower next to him IMO. Mikal and OG just aren’t good enough or quick enough shooters from deep. When McBride is getting shots off there’s just a whole different energy out there.

It’s a good point. Should be KAT flaming out there

It's not just that Mikal aren't quick enough shooters. Their range isn't quite up there with Donte's. The defense reacts differently when a guy is threat to shoot 30 feet out. It opens the floor up more. It forces Donte's man hesitate on the defensive rotation. It makes the big overthink whether he should play up more or beeline straight to the rim.

DLeethal wrote:Indiana is probably the closest thing to the ‘04 Pistons we’ve seen in terms of being composed of a bunch of fringe all stars. Tyrese is like Chauncey as the head of the snake and “Mr Big Shot” but probably not even top 15 on most people’s lists. Style of play obviously different but sometimes you have to ask yourself how this Indiana team plays so far above their perceived talent. Gotta give them credit they’ve been a top 3 team since January.

That's a really good comparison.

Unless of course we're just seeing the usual Knick thing of different scrubs going off for career nights against us.

Chauncey was top 10 for me easily though, and probably top 5 in his position. (thought I've been watching only since 99).

DLeethal wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:Mitch starting honestly makes alot of sense right now, also takes the Hack a Mitch off the table. and KAT comes in against the bench players and can have the offense to himself. Don't think Thibs would do it, but it makes sense right now. we need Mitch playing 30mpg and starting makes it easier. KAT can still get his 30 min also.

Mitch died in the 2nd half and was exposed some -- he's been great BUT he's a flawed and limited player. He joined in the party in the 2nd half getting lost on pick/roll and leaving Turner wide open for corner 3 (literally nobody within 15 feet).

Thibs played him 16 straight minutes in the first half.

I made that point in earlier post - Thibs cooked him in 1st 1/2 BUT that's also an indication of Mitch overall -- he's a role player and YES he's been very positively impactful for us thus far. Just think he was gassed and made some poor decisions in 2nd half.

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Also with how we play with Deuce shows how bad we miss a guy like Dante. Brunson needs a flamethrower next to him IMO. Mikal and OG just aren’t good enough or quick enough shooters from deep. When McBride is getting shots off there’s just a whole different energy out there.

It’s a good point. Should be KAT flaming out there

Kat's a far more dangerous shooter vs Donte and we can't seem to get him open for more than a look or two.

Big reason is our pace is so slow (partly because Pacers are making lots of buckets) that there is little movement/flow where Kat can walk into some good open looks. For most part he's had to move a step or 2 out to get off some of his shots.

Not making excuses for Kat who is infuriating on D and with fouls and stupid screens (literally could be flagged every screen for pushing off).