franco12 wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:Brunson wouldnt have been in the MVP conversation last season, if he spent all of it ballstopping. He started like this last season, then a switch went off and JB started getting his teammates more involved.

Why we're going through this again IDK. I do know that the coaching staff needs to take him aside (in private) and show him film of all the ways his ballstopping is hurting the team. Maybe his Dad.Maybe they did it already.

Part might be him trying to do too much. And I agree - coaches need to work on these problems because we have seen better play.

Also part of this might be the league has a book on him now - and that is go hard and go physical at him with length.

They're seeing that JB isnt giving up the ball as much as he did/should, and they're pressuring him into taking bad shots.

If they knew that he was more willing to share the rock, it might not happen as much. When you know a player is often going to shoot no matter what, its easier to devise a game plan to stop them

If I am reading this correctly, then really- one of the best line ups we used for a decent number of possessions is

Brunson, McBride, Bridges, OG & Sims

martin wrote:I haven't watched enough of the first games for this season, I'll start there.

Brunson's growth as a playmaker, passer, and organizer will lead to the biggest benefits for the team IMHO

This type of thing happens way too often and is just inexcusable.

Brunson is a great individual scorer, he kinda sucks as a passer.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KxngLenny_/status/1854356299116380182

It's an issue right now - I agree Martin.

Jalen's game is built to score and for a guy with so much in his bag sometimes all of his attention is focused on setting up his defender.
His length doesn't help as a passer because he's often having to find angles to pass around longer defenders.

One thing I think would help is moving him off the ball more - where he's not the initial creator every time but he's off the ball and either in catch/shoot, catch/drive or catch/shoot situations.

It's been concerning on a few occasions this year where for ex. Kat was in a hot streak and Jalen came out and completely ignored an easy opportunity to feed the hot hand.

Hopefully he figures it out but may be a situation where staff has to help him with a few adjustments to move him off ball some more.

SergioNYK wrote:Brunson is averaging just one less assist per game than last season and as team we're at 24 apg and lead the league in 3pt% and top five in FG% so offense and playmaking aren't the issue. Unless for some reason you now expect Brunson to be and play like Jason Kidd or John Stockton.

We are 3-4 because we are at the bottom of the league in rebounding, opponent FG% and points in the paint allowed. This is not on Brunson.

Offensively he's making poor decisions all over the place, missing open shooters and holding the ball far too long - regardless of offensive stats.

I AGREE on all your defensive stats (it's an issue) but if we are honest Jalen isn't helping our defensive stats either.

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:and on a serious note - get McBride out into the starting line up. He would help a lot, both with his shooting, but passing as well.

4 assists in almost 40 minutes- McBride 7 in 28. Do the quick math and that is 1 in 10 vs. 1 in 4.

I have to tell you, one of the reasons I think Josh instead of McBride is in starting lineup, cause Josh rebounds and passes. And although Knicks KNOW they need rebounding, it's the Josh passing that is really key, cause Brunson may be a slow learner there.

iHart was solving that problem. He was the passing hub and now Brunson is figuring that out for himself.

And in the game thread- I suggested moving Simms into the line up.

Maybe it's two moves

McBride and Simms in, and Josh & Bridges out.

I know Thibs would never do this - in hockey, they do this kind of thing all the time. Maybe we need to get Larry Brown for a bit of fun!

Brunson
McBride
OG
Simms
Towns

Bench is Josh, Bridges & Kolek.

I actually like that starting 5 much better and I think I will die on this hill!

Fire Thibs until he tries this!

What does having Sims in the lineup solve and what is Sims giving up in terms of team play in that situation? You aren't really upgrading anything by swapping Mikal/Josh out for McBride and a bench guy?

Trick question?

Simms is giving me a bigger body, occupying more space, screen and pick setter- and hopefully someone who makes up for the rebounding that Josh gives.

I am moving two good offensive players to the bench, and replacing them with one good one in McBride, better PG play in McBride and hopefully someone who can help with the boards and opposing size.

Replace Simms with Prescious when he returns.

This is not so much an upgrade, as it is balancing out talents.

OK, shuffle the deck. And then what? It has to be purposeful and help solve problems.

This is solving problems! And it has purpose (prevent Thibs from getting fired!)

Problem- Brunson isn't a good PG. McBride is a better PG. Isn't that what you partially laid out as the problem (former, not the latter which is my premise).

Also, we need more scoring in the 2nd unit and I also think we're getting hurt on boards- or at least last year that was a strength- 5 extra boards per game last year to break even this.

I know Simms isn't a fantastic rebounder, but he is stronger than OG & Josh.

It's about creating better balance on the floor.

You and I do no have the same assumptions. Deuce is a SG.

Is Brunson an SG too? I mean, I get that McBride isn’t the prototypical PG. I do like his shot and has been a pleasant scoring surprise.

He helps move the ball and I think would help. It’s not like they’re not getting time together right now. It’s just a question of putting him in the starting line up and try to get off to better starts.

And the rebounding is an area we overachieved last year- we were about +5 over opponents. This year we are essentially flat.

I want to put Sims in the starting line- just ask him for 8 boards in 24 minutes and to set some nice picks and screens to open things up for the other players.

The ball in in Brunson's hands. Putting Deuce in the starting lineup does not change that dynamic. Deuce is nowhere near a PG, that's not his role. The coaching staff has all but told us that.

Brings us back to the lack of a secondary facilitator / ball handler - T Jones, D Murray, J Clarkson type(s) ---- Knicks need to scour league and find someone like that via trade. Marcus Smart??? He fits the type BUT......

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:and on a serious note - get McBride out into the starting line up. He would help a lot, both with his shooting, but passing as well.

4 assists in almost 40 minutes- McBride 7 in 28. Do the quick math and that is 1 in 10 vs. 1 in 4.

I have to tell you, one of the reasons I think Josh instead of McBride is in starting lineup, cause Josh rebounds and passes. And although Knicks KNOW they need rebounding, it's the Josh passing that is really key, cause Brunson may be a slow learner there.

iHart was solving that problem. He was the passing hub and now Brunson is figuring that out for himself.

And in the game thread- I suggested moving Simms into the line up.

Maybe it's two moves

McBride and Simms in, and Josh & Bridges out.

I know Thibs would never do this - in hockey, they do this kind of thing all the time. Maybe we need to get Larry Brown for a bit of fun!

Brunson
McBride
OG
Simms
Towns

Bench is Josh, Bridges & Kolek.

I actually like that starting 5 much better and I think I will die on this hill!

Fire Thibs until he tries this!

What does having Sims in the lineup solve and what is Sims giving up in terms of team play in that situation? You aren't really upgrading anything by swapping Mikal/Josh out for McBride and a bench guy?

Trick question?

Simms is giving me a bigger body, occupying more space, screen and pick setter- and hopefully someone who makes up for the rebounding that Josh gives.

I am moving two good offensive players to the bench, and replacing them with one good one in McBride, better PG play in McBride and hopefully someone who can help with the boards and opposing size.

Replace Simms with Prescious when he returns.

This is not so much an upgrade, as it is balancing out talents.

OK, shuffle the deck. And then what? It has to be purposeful and help solve problems.

This is solving problems! And it has purpose (prevent Thibs from getting fired!)

Problem- Brunson isn't a good PG. McBride is a better PG. Isn't that what you partially laid out as the problem (former, not the latter which is my premise).

Also, we need more scoring in the 2nd unit and I also think we're getting hurt on boards- or at least last year that was a strength- 5 extra boards per game last year to break even this.

I know Simms isn't a fantastic rebounder, but he is stronger than OG & Josh.

It's about creating better balance on the floor.

You and I do no have the same assumptions. Deuce is a SG.

Is Brunson an SG too? I mean, I get that McBride isn’t the prototypical PG. I do like his shot and has been a pleasant scoring surprise.

He helps move the ball and I think would help. It’s not like they’re not getting time together right now. It’s just a question of putting him in the starting line up and try to get off to better starts.

And the rebounding is an area we overachieved last year- we were about +5 over opponents. This year we are essentially flat.

I want to put Sims in the starting line- just ask him for 8 boards in 24 minutes and to set some nice picks and screens to open things up for the other players.

The ball in in Brunson's hands. Putting Deuce in the starting lineup does not change that dynamic. Deuce is nowhere near a PG, that's not his role. The coaching staff has all but told us that.

Brings us back to the lack of a secondary facilitator / ball handler - T Jones, D Murray, J Clarkson type(s) ---- Knicks need to scour league and find someone like that via trade. Marcus Smart??? He fits the type BUT......

EwingsGlass wrote:Everything we are seeing number wise right now is a small sample set and not enough to make decisions on.

1) Brunson's ball movement. He may be pressing, but DDV knew really well how to move around Brunson. Mikal and KAT are not doing this as well...yet.

2) Brunson may be pressing and the league may have a sense on how to defend him (7 foot wingspan in front of him), but the answer is as simple as letting Bridges initiate (not Hart) to get Brunson the ball with a more favorable matchup. Teams can cheat off of Hart because he doesn't have the handles or the shot to punish teams. If teams are playing him like Curry, the Knicks need to help him the way GSW helps Curry.

3) Brunson does seem a little reluctant to give the ball to KAT despite the paint being crowded. Might just be time/chemistry, but teams seem to be able to pack the paint when Brunson drives.

4) Bridges seems to be struggling with playing off ball. He got a lot of bad habits in Brooklyn and it will take a while to undo that. His defense is suspect as well.

5) I miss Johnnie Bryant. I am not saying Johnnie is the reason the Cavs are 9-0 and the Knicks are listless, but Johnnie had a real energy. I miss that.

these are great. I do think Thibs is mssing some Johnny in game insights and suggested adjustments. Agree teams are going to play JB big. they can sag off a bit neutralizing his jiggle to a degree. We need to punish that. SOmeone else is guarded small

also i think this is more of a defense thing than a JB passing too little thing. Two games ago Green played like crap until the end of the game and then he kills us with threes (not his strength). Last night rookie and JJ look like all stars against us (don't know how JJ was doing but the rookie was previously meh).

last night we also were sloppy with ball.

We need to play the full 48 minutes and stop thinking we just need to turn it on.

BigRedDog wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:and on a serious note - get McBride out into the starting line up. He would help a lot, both with his shooting, but passing as well.

4 assists in almost 40 minutes- McBride 7 in 28. Do the quick math and that is 1 in 10 vs. 1 in 4.

I have to tell you, one of the reasons I think Josh instead of McBride is in starting lineup, cause Josh rebounds and passes. And although Knicks KNOW they need rebounding, it's the Josh passing that is really key, cause Brunson may be a slow learner there.

iHart was solving that problem. He was the passing hub and now Brunson is figuring that out for himself.

And in the game thread- I suggested moving Simms into the line up.

Maybe it's two moves

McBride and Simms in, and Josh & Bridges out.

I know Thibs would never do this - in hockey, they do this kind of thing all the time. Maybe we need to get Larry Brown for a bit of fun!

Brunson
McBride
OG
Simms
Towns

Bench is Josh, Bridges & Kolek.

I actually like that starting 5 much better and I think I will die on this hill!

Fire Thibs until he tries this!

This could be the worst suggestion I have ever read on this or any Knick forum. Most of us don't think Simms even belongs playing and you want to move him into the starting lineup? WOW. And move the guy they traded 5 first round picks onto the bench? Smells like a panic move. They are looking at this team being together for 4 years, we are 9 games into that and you want to make desperation moves like this? You aren't related to Simms os his agent by any chance? Thats the only reason I could think that anyone would actually think this was a good idea.

Not related as far as I know.

And the more I think, the better I think it would work.

Look - Thibs marched his best five players out there. But, I don’t think they work as a 5 man unit.

I think we’re struggling with ball movement - and that is why I would put McBride out there - he may not be a PG, but he moves the ball and is another facilitator and he is also a better 3pt shooter than Bridges and Hart.

And we’re not as strong on the boards as we were last year - that is where Sims comes in.

I’m asking him to give me 8 boards in 24 minutes - and I’m asking him to set screens and picks to free up our skill players.

I give McBride and Sims more minutes and trim back on Hart.

Look - this is about balance the talent on the floor. Why have some of the best coaches had a player that could start come off the bench?

I should add- the second Prescious is back, Sims is sitting.

martin wrote:I haven't watched enough of the first games for this season, I'll start there.

Brunson's growth as a playmaker, passer, and organizer will lead to the biggest benefits for the team IMHO

This type of thing happens way too often and is just inexcusable.

Brunson is a great individual scorer, he kinda sucks as a passer.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KxngLenny_/status/1854356299116380182

Mentioned on game thread how JB has to remember other PG responsibilities.
One being getting the rest of your players going on offense.
Giving ball to guys in their best spots.
Coming from a background of having a father as my main building force, I can see how JB was brought up focused on personal skill development based mostly on scoring.
Think with time he will get it.
Has to realize he has already proven he is an elite scorer. Now needs to build a chip team.

Knicksfan wrote:

franco12 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:

martin wrote:

franco12 wrote:and on a serious note - get McBride out into the starting line up. He would help a lot, both with his shooting, but passing as well.

4 assists in almost 40 minutes- McBride 7 in 28. Do the quick math and that is 1 in 10 vs. 1 in 4.

I have to tell you, one of the reasons I think Josh instead of McBride is in starting lineup, cause Josh rebounds and passes. And although Knicks KNOW they need rebounding, it's the Josh passing that is really key, cause Brunson may be a slow learner there.

iHart was solving that problem. He was the passing hub and now Brunson is figuring that out for himself.

And in the game thread- I suggested moving Simms into the line up.

Maybe it's two moves

McBride and Simms in, and Josh & Bridges out.

I know Thibs would never do this - in hockey, they do this kind of thing all the time. Maybe we need to get Larry Brown for a bit of fun!

Brunson
McBride
OG
Simms
Towns

Bench is Josh, Bridges & Kolek.

I actually like that starting 5 much better and I think I will die on this hill!

Fire Thibs until he tries this!

What does having Sims in the lineup solve and what is Sims giving up in terms of team play in that situation? You aren't really upgrading anything by swapping Mikal/Josh out for McBride and a bench guy?

Trick question?

Simms is giving me a bigger body, occupying more space, screen and pick setter- and hopefully someone who makes up for the rebounding that Josh gives.

I am moving two good offensive players to the bench, and replacing them with one good one in McBride, better PG play in McBride and hopefully someone who can help with the boards and opposing size.

Replace Simms with Prescious when he returns.

This is not so much an upgrade, as it is balancing out talents.

OK, shuffle the deck. And then what? It has to be purposeful and help solve problems.

This is solving problems! And it has purpose (prevent Thibs from getting fired!)

Problem- Brunson isn't a good PG. McBride is a better PG. Isn't that what you partially laid out as the problem (former, not the latter which is my premise).

Also, we need more scoring in the 2nd unit and I also think we're getting hurt on boards- or at least last year that was a strength- 5 extra boards per game last year to break even this.

I know Simms isn't a fantastic rebounder, but he is stronger than OG & Josh.

It's about creating better balance on the floor.

You and I do no have the same assumptions. Deuce is a SG.

Is Brunson an SG too? I mean, I get that McBride isn’t the prototypical PG. I do like his shot and has been a pleasant scoring surprise.

He helps move the ball and I think would help. It’s not like they’re not getting time together right now. It’s just a question of putting him in the starting line up and try to get off to better starts.

And the rebounding is an area we overachieved last year- we were about +5 over opponents. This year we are essentially flat.

I want to put Sims in the starting line- just ask him for 8 boards in 24 minutes and to set some nice picks and screens to open things up for the other players.

The ball in in Brunson's hands. Putting Deuce in the starting lineup does not change that dynamic. Deuce is nowhere near a PG, that's not his role. The coaching staff has all but told us that.

Brings us back to the lack of a secondary facilitator / ball handler - T Jones, D Murray, J Clarkson type(s) ---- Knicks need to scour league and find someone like that via trade. Marcus Smart??? He fits the type BUT......

Isn't that one of the reasons they brought in Bridges? I know he was supposed to be the tertiary facilitator pre-Towns trade, but he's barely that now. I've been a bit underwhelmed by Bridges offensive contributions, but I think the coaching staff takes some of the blame. I think it was Uptown who mentioned maybe giving KAT some more high post action at the start of the offensive set. Maybe that's the way to go. That's going to take some time, but I just don't think the staff is taking advantage of its weapons right now.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/knicksmuse/status/1854564592598351971

It is my impression that KAT’s availability changed everything and now Thibs is still struggling to get everything working on the same page. While progress has been made with Towns in regards to the first few games, I think that Bridges is a huge issue right now because he sometimes looks lost and he is definitely a better player and weapon than we’ve used him for. This team seems to need a 20-game preseason, but these games count so they have to find ways to win the close games like the last two games while they still get their act together.

But Simmmons is actually right here.

And this is why I move Bridges to the bench to be the first guy off the bench - you let him be the star of that second unit, even if it is 1 or 2 deep!