LivingLegend wrote:Knicks no longer undefeated when Taj plays.

Have to say all of the Clips big 3 looked in fine shape - moving and playing well. Strong supporting cast - will come down to if Harden/PG3 implode in key playoff spot.

All they needed to do was separate Russ from Harden in the starting lineup to make it work. They are pretty solid now.

Clean wrote:No Grimes and Mitch as starters and you get this trash defense. Brunson, RJ and Randle don't work. Too many minus defenders in the starting group. RJ has been better than last year but not good enough to make that group work. All the stats in the world can't make up Randles defense. Brunson is bad too but he is our best player so he gets a pass. I understand some of yall love Randle but the fit is just not there.

I think they work to a certain degree. The starting unit with Mitch and Grimes historically has been close to elite in terms of NET. Mitch is an anchor that cleans up a lot on defense - we were 3rd overall with him and one of the worst defenses in the league without him.

Long term I think Randle/RJ is not a pristine fit on a championship level. But the 3 of them can fit together and win 50 games but Mitch is very important to what we do. Jericho is not an impact player at all.

DLeethal wrote:

Clean wrote:No Grimes and Mitch as starters and you get this trash defense. Brunson, RJ and Randle don't work. Too many minus defenders in the starting group. RJ has been better than last year but not good enough to make that group work. All the stats in the world can't make up Randles defense. Brunson is bad too but he is our best player so he gets a pass. I understand some of yall love Randle but the fit is just not there.

I think they work to a certain degree. The starting unit with Mitch and Grimes historically has been close to elite in terms of NET. Mitch is an anchor that cleans up a lot on defense - we were 3rd overall with him and one of the worst defenses in the league without him.

Long term I think Randle/RJ is not a pristine fit on a championship level. But the 3 of them can fit together and win 50 games but Mitch is very important to what we do. Jericho is not an impact player at all.

I dont believe Grimes D this season has been as good as seasons past. Its mostly about Mitch. DDV gives us the scoring and ball movement, that Grimes isnt showing as a starter. Benching Grimes was best for him and the team. Even Grimes seems to be in that camp.

We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.

This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.

McBride needs more PT.

GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview.

We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.

This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.

McBride needs more PT.

Missing Mitch. If you trade him you are bringing in a present or future asset.
"It don't work"......Profound statements after a loss. Knicks are not contending and other observations.
Clippers are healthy now and figured out some **** from season start when they made the trade and we all wished that starphuch would be a disaster. It still might be, but that team starts 3 HOF and brings on off the bench.
"I love Brunson but".....He can't do it alone. Obvious.
If you max him with this roster one can see issues.
But, thats for next year and things will change.

GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview.

We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.

This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.

McBride needs more PT.

We were absolutely destroyed against Bucks/Celtics with Mitch playing the invisible man - don’t want to hear about Mitch greatness because 1/2 the time he’s hurt and a 1/4 the time he’s ineffective.

Also - how many times is Julius going to get the ball dislodged or stolen from him or simply dribble it into the 1st row? This dude is the enigma of enigma’s.

GustavBahler wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview.

We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.

This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.

McBride needs more PT.

We were absolutely destroyed against Bucks/Celtics with Mitch playing the invisible man - don’t want to hear about Mitch greatness because 1/2 the time he’s hurt and a 1/4 the time he’s ineffective.

1/4 ineffective at what? Scoring? One of the best lob threats who rarely gets thrown lobs. Defense? Was one of the 3 best big men defenders in the league (and offensive rebounds) who was leading the team in steals, of all stats.

Just like elite PGs are able to blow by other elite PGs who can D up. Skilled scoring big men can do the same. Some players even elite defenders get owned from time to time. Unrealistic to expect otherwise.

You are spot on about missing games though. Its been a career long issue. But considering the alternatives out there, I'd rather roll with Mitch, and find a backup big man who can do a better job of holding down the fort defensively.

Nerlens Noel and Mitch could of anchored the 5 for years if just one of them could stay healthy. I believe we have a better chance of finding a quality backup than an elite defender/rebounder like Mitch. I believe we can find a player out there who can close the gap between what Mitch and Sims can do defensively.

I guess when I say ineffective I’m referencing the games where we are giving up a tremendous amount of points - the 130s the 140s are you saying he was effective in those games?

GustavBahler wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

Clean wrote:No Grimes and Mitch as starters and you get this trash defense. Brunson, RJ and Randle don't work. Too many minus defenders in the starting group. RJ has been better than last year but not good enough to make that group work. All the stats in the world can't make up Randles defense. Brunson is bad too but he is our best player so he gets a pass. I understand some of yall love Randle but the fit is just not there.

I think they work to a certain degree. The starting unit with Mitch and Grimes historically has been close to elite in terms of NET. Mitch is an anchor that cleans up a lot on defense - we were 3rd overall with him and one of the worst defenses in the league without him.

Long term I think Randle/RJ is not a pristine fit on a championship level. But the 3 of them can fit together and win 50 games but Mitch is very important to what we do. Jericho is not an impact player at all.

I dont believe Grimes D this season has been as good as seasons past. Its mostly about Mitch. DDV gives us the scoring and ball movement, that Grimes isnt showing as a starter. Benching Grimes was best for him and the team. Even Grimes seems to be in that camp.

DDV is the best fit offensively but Grimes is definitely the best prototypical SG on defense. We need one guy who can at least make it tough on the league's top wings. Brunson/DDV is a very small backcourt. DDV hustles and is smart and can make a bunch of plays on defense but he's not gonna D-up the elite G/Fs of the league and make it tough on them.