blkexec wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Knixkik wrote:This team is losing close games to good teams. Obviously beat a good team in Atlanta. Why is it assumed that as soon as we bench Kemba we are suddenly going to beat the beat teams in the East ? The margin of error is so small. The problem is 2 losses this season to Orlando, etc. We lose 1 possession games to great teams because we aren’t a team capable of doing more right now.

We can’t start games and can’t close games. Moving Burks to the SL was supposed to help in those areas. But the elephant in the room is Randle. He hasn’t proved to be a closer you can depend on due to his tunnel vision and high TOs. So until Randle and Thibs address the elephant, we will continue to be mediocre. This team needs a trade in the worse way. Randle can’t be the only player we depend on to close out games. We need another closer. Is it RJ? I don’t know. But Randle alone ain’t working. And Randle needs to accept that he’s not ready to be the main closer in the 4th. Has to be a team effort. I just don’t trust thibs offensive team strategies. Mediocrity at its best. I guess playing with out a crowd vs with a crowd makes a difference. I hope Randle proves me wrong. But if I’m building this team, I would do my best to add a star that Randle can play with and doesn’t mind giving up the ball. I saw in crunch time Randle was trying to give the ball to quick and quick wasn’t ready for that roll. We don’t have a lot of options when it comes to closing out close games. We need to fix that or there’s no point in trying to make the playoffs, just to get knocked out 1st round.

Randle needs a PG that can command the offense. Randle's problem has always been and still is the fact he handles the ball too often. He had 7 turnovers yesterday. Is that indicative of him not being able to handle the ball or of a team that does not have a PG controlling the ball? In terms of closers, I feel the best closing teams have a GO TO guy which Randle is but they also have several guys that are not afraid to take big shots and can make them. Think we have that in Burks, EF, RJ, IQ. Think that we are missing that elite PG. Which was the reason why I thought Kemba would help. However, it was obvious that Kemba either HAD to defer to Randle (Thibs offense) or did not have the alpha leader mentality needed as a true PG to make that happen. Think CP3 was the one to go after. Do not see many true PGs out there even close to him.

Btw, biggest jinx thread ever! Please lock!

Yes, please lock. Since Briggs started this thread, we've been on a good run. Running str8 into the ground. lol

Washington Wizards is one team I can think of, that uses a team approach to finish games, eventhough they have Beal. And it seems to work for them. I have XM radio and they was a topic of discussion. But I agree, all teams need to have a go to guy to close out games. And Randle can be that guy. But history is not his friend and he has been in several situations where he came up short in crunch time. His 4th quarter numbers tends to fall off. Randle is a 3 quarters players. In the 4th quarter, I rather have a more efficient closer, who's not a hot head. Randle is so emotional and passionate, his passion and energy can sometimes get in the way of his efficiency / TO's.

I think the problem is players defer to Randle way too much. That speaks volumes about his leadership style and how people naturally follow him. So it will take more than a young PG. Randle needs a CP3 alpha male type PG or player. Someone who's not afraid to look Randle off or redirect Randle into a better position. And I don't see anybody close to that right now, that Randle wouldn't mind sharing the wheel to close out games.

Westbrook comes to mind, as far as having an alpha male who would not defer to Randle, Lebron or anybody. I know, I know, knick fans don't like him. And just watching him with the Lakers, his shooting is awful and I remember saying I don't like him. But he has that alpha type personality that would not defer to Randle every position. Paul George is another person that comes to mind, after reading this 3 team trade rumor, PG is a possibility, if the rumor is true. But there aren't too many alpha type options out there, which is why I always felt it's difficult to build a championship team around Randle. Unless you bring in a top 10 talent, like the lakers did when they traded for AD. Randle needs one of those top alpha dogs to play with. Otherwise, these young guys we have will just defer, whenever Randle is on the court.

I don't get the pro psyche sometimes. Someone that gifted can't spend a few months each year working on simple things like 3 pt shooting, moving without the ball, setting off ball screens, defense, etc. It's not like he's not capable.

I cannot even imagine what would we have to part with to get PG.

jrodmc wrote:

blkexec wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Knixkik wrote:This team is losing close games to good teams. Obviously beat a good team in Atlanta. Why is it assumed that as soon as we bench Kemba we are suddenly going to beat the beat teams in the East ? The margin of error is so small. The problem is 2 losses this season to Orlando, etc. We lose 1 possession games to great teams because we aren’t a team capable of doing more right now.

We can’t start games and can’t close games. Moving Burks to the SL was supposed to help in those areas. But the elephant in the room is Randle. He hasn’t proved to be a closer you can depend on due to his tunnel vision and high TOs. So until Randle and Thibs address the elephant, we will continue to be mediocre. This team needs a trade in the worse way. Randle can’t be the only player we depend on to close out games. We need another closer. Is it RJ? I don’t know. But Randle alone ain’t working. And Randle needs to accept that he’s not ready to be the main closer in the 4th. Has to be a team effort. I just don’t trust thibs offensive team strategies. Mediocrity at its best. I guess playing with out a crowd vs with a crowd makes a difference. I hope Randle proves me wrong. But if I’m building this team, I would do my best to add a star that Randle can play with and doesn’t mind giving up the ball. I saw in crunch time Randle was trying to give the ball to quick and quick wasn’t ready for that roll. We don’t have a lot of options when it comes to closing out close games. We need to fix that or there’s no point in trying to make the playoffs, just to get knocked out 1st round.

Randle needs a PG that can command the offense. Randle's problem has always been and still is the fact he handles the ball too often. He had 7 turnovers yesterday. Is that indicative of him not being able to handle the ball or of a team that does not have a PG controlling the ball? In terms of closers, I feel the best closing teams have a GO TO guy which Randle is but they also have several guys that are not afraid to take big shots and can make them. Think we have that in Burks, EF, RJ, IQ. Think that we are missing that elite PG. Which was the reason why I thought Kemba would help. However, it was obvious that Kemba either HAD to defer to Randle (Thibs offense) or did not have the alpha leader mentality needed as a true PG to make that happen. Think CP3 was the one to go after. Do not see many true PGs out there even close to him.

Btw, biggest jinx thread ever! Please lock!

Yes, please lock. Since Briggs started this thread, we've been on a good run. Running str8 into the ground. lol

Washington Wizards is one team I can think of, that uses a team approach to finish games, eventhough they have Beal. And it seems to work for them. I have XM radio and they was a topic of discussion. But I agree, all teams need to have a go to guy to close out games. And Randle can be that guy. But history is not his friend and he has been in several situations where he came up short in crunch time. His 4th quarter numbers tends to fall off. Randle is a 3 quarters players. In the 4th quarter, I rather have a more efficient closer, who's not a hot head. Randle is so emotional and passionate, his passion and energy can sometimes get in the way of his efficiency / TO's.

I think the problem is players defer to Randle way too much. That speaks volumes about his leadership style and how people naturally follow him. So it will take more than a young PG. Randle needs a CP3 alpha male type PG or player. Someone who's not afraid to look Randle off or redirect Randle into a better position. And I don't see anybody close to that right now, that Randle wouldn't mind sharing the wheel to close out games.

Westbrook comes to mind, as far as having an alpha male who would not defer to Randle, Lebron or anybody. I know, I know, knick fans don't like him. And just watching him with the Lakers, his shooting is awful and I remember saying I don't like him. But he has that alpha type personality that would not defer to Randle every position. Paul George is another person that comes to mind, after reading this 3 team trade rumor, PG is a possibility, if the rumor is true. But there aren't too many alpha type options out there, which is why I always felt it's difficult to build a championship team around Randle. Unless you bring in a top 10 talent, like the lakers did when they traded for AD. Randle needs one of those top alpha dogs to play with. Otherwise, these young guys we have will just defer, whenever Randle is on the court.

What fans do like Westbrook? He's an empty calorie stat stuffer and now he's on the down side of his athleticism.

I don't get the pro psyche sometimes. Someone that gifted can't spend a few months each year working on simple things like 3 pt shooting, moving without the ball, setting off ball screens, defense, etc. It's not like he's not capable.

I cannot even imagine what would we have to part with to get PG.

jrodmc wrote:

blkexec wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Knixkik wrote:This team is losing close games to good teams. Obviously beat a good team in Atlanta. Why is it assumed that as soon as we bench Kemba we are suddenly going to beat the beat teams in the East ? The margin of error is so small. The problem is 2 losses this season to Orlando, etc. We lose 1 possession games to great teams because we aren’t a team capable of doing more right now.

We can’t start games and can’t close games. Moving Burks to the SL was supposed to help in those areas. But the elephant in the room is Randle. He hasn’t proved to be a closer you can depend on due to his tunnel vision and high TOs. So until Randle and Thibs address the elephant, we will continue to be mediocre. This team needs a trade in the worse way. Randle can’t be the only player we depend on to close out games. We need another closer. Is it RJ? I don’t know. But Randle alone ain’t working. And Randle needs to accept that he’s not ready to be the main closer in the 4th. Has to be a team effort. I just don’t trust thibs offensive team strategies. Mediocrity at its best. I guess playing with out a crowd vs with a crowd makes a difference. I hope Randle proves me wrong. But if I’m building this team, I would do my best to add a star that Randle can play with and doesn’t mind giving up the ball. I saw in crunch time Randle was trying to give the ball to quick and quick wasn’t ready for that roll. We don’t have a lot of options when it comes to closing out close games. We need to fix that or there’s no point in trying to make the playoffs, just to get knocked out 1st round.

Randle needs a PG that can command the offense. Randle's problem has always been and still is the fact he handles the ball too often. He had 7 turnovers yesterday. Is that indicative of him not being able to handle the ball or of a team that does not have a PG controlling the ball? In terms of closers, I feel the best closing teams have a GO TO guy which Randle is but they also have several guys that are not afraid to take big shots and can make them. Think we have that in Burks, EF, RJ, IQ. Think that we are missing that elite PG. Which was the reason why I thought Kemba would help. However, it was obvious that Kemba either HAD to defer to Randle (Thibs offense) or did not have the alpha leader mentality needed as a true PG to make that happen. Think CP3 was the one to go after. Do not see many true PGs out there even close to him.

Btw, biggest jinx thread ever! Please lock!

Yes, please lock. Since Briggs started this thread, we've been on a good run. Running str8 into the ground. lol

Washington Wizards is one team I can think of, that uses a team approach to finish games, eventhough they have Beal. And it seems to work for them. I have XM radio and they was a topic of discussion. But I agree, all teams need to have a go to guy to close out games. And Randle can be that guy. But history is not his friend and he has been in several situations where he came up short in crunch time. His 4th quarter numbers tends to fall off. Randle is a 3 quarters players. In the 4th quarter, I rather have a more efficient closer, who's not a hot head. Randle is so emotional and passionate, his passion and energy can sometimes get in the way of his efficiency / TO's.

I think the problem is players defer to Randle way too much. That speaks volumes about his leadership style and how people naturally follow him. So it will take more than a young PG. Randle needs a CP3 alpha male type PG or player. Someone who's not afraid to look Randle off or redirect Randle into a better position. And I don't see anybody close to that right now, that Randle wouldn't mind sharing the wheel to close out games.

Westbrook comes to mind, as far as having an alpha male who would not defer to Randle, Lebron or anybody. I know, I know, knick fans don't like him. And just watching him with the Lakers, his shooting is awful and I remember saying I don't like him. But he has that alpha type personality that would not defer to Randle every position. Paul George is another person that comes to mind, after reading this 3 team trade rumor, PG is a possibility, if the rumor is true. But there aren't too many alpha type options out there, which is why I always felt it's difficult to build a championship team around Randle. Unless you bring in a top 10 talent, like the lakers did when they traded for AD. Randle needs one of those top alpha dogs to play with. Otherwise, these young guys we have will just defer, whenever Randle is on the court.

What fans do like Westbrook? He's an empty calorie stat stuffer and now he's on the down side of his athleticism.

I don't get the pro psyche sometimes. Someone that gifted can't spend a few months each year working on simple things like 3 pt shooting, moving without the ball, setting off ball screens, defense, etc. It's not like he's not capable.

I cannot even imagine what would we have to part with to get PG.

Westbrook can stil play and only has 2 years left on his deal. He and Lebron aren’t good together so he will be available and is the slashing zone destroying pg we need

Philc1 wrote:

jrodmc wrote:

blkexec wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Knixkik wrote:This team is losing close games to good teams. Obviously beat a good team in Atlanta. Why is it assumed that as soon as we bench Kemba we are suddenly going to beat the beat teams in the East ? The margin of error is so small. The problem is 2 losses this season to Orlando, etc. We lose 1 possession games to great teams because we aren’t a team capable of doing more right now.

We can’t start games and can’t close games. Moving Burks to the SL was supposed to help in those areas. But the elephant in the room is Randle. He hasn’t proved to be a closer you can depend on due to his tunnel vision and high TOs. So until Randle and Thibs address the elephant, we will continue to be mediocre. This team needs a trade in the worse way. Randle can’t be the only player we depend on to close out games. We need another closer. Is it RJ? I don’t know. But Randle alone ain’t working. And Randle needs to accept that he’s not ready to be the main closer in the 4th. Has to be a team effort. I just don’t trust thibs offensive team strategies. Mediocrity at its best. I guess playing with out a crowd vs with a crowd makes a difference. I hope Randle proves me wrong. But if I’m building this team, I would do my best to add a star that Randle can play with and doesn’t mind giving up the ball. I saw in crunch time Randle was trying to give the ball to quick and quick wasn’t ready for that roll. We don’t have a lot of options when it comes to closing out close games. We need to fix that or there’s no point in trying to make the playoffs, just to get knocked out 1st round.

Randle needs a PG that can command the offense. Randle's problem has always been and still is the fact he handles the ball too often. He had 7 turnovers yesterday. Is that indicative of him not being able to handle the ball or of a team that does not have a PG controlling the ball? In terms of closers, I feel the best closing teams have a GO TO guy which Randle is but they also have several guys that are not afraid to take big shots and can make them. Think we have that in Burks, EF, RJ, IQ. Think that we are missing that elite PG. Which was the reason why I thought Kemba would help. However, it was obvious that Kemba either HAD to defer to Randle (Thibs offense) or did not have the alpha leader mentality needed as a true PG to make that happen. Think CP3 was the one to go after. Do not see many true PGs out there even close to him.

Btw, biggest jinx thread ever! Please lock!

Yes, please lock. Since Briggs started this thread, we've been on a good run. Running str8 into the ground. lol

Washington Wizards is one team I can think of, that uses a team approach to finish games, eventhough they have Beal. And it seems to work for them. I have XM radio and they was a topic of discussion. But I agree, all teams need to have a go to guy to close out games. And Randle can be that guy. But history is not his friend and he has been in several situations where he came up short in crunch time. His 4th quarter numbers tends to fall off. Randle is a 3 quarters players. In the 4th quarter, I rather have a more efficient closer, who's not a hot head. Randle is so emotional and passionate, his passion and energy can sometimes get in the way of his efficiency / TO's.

I think the problem is players defer to Randle way too much. That speaks volumes about his leadership style and how people naturally follow him. So it will take more than a young PG. Randle needs a CP3 alpha male type PG or player. Someone who's not afraid to look Randle off or redirect Randle into a better position. And I don't see anybody close to that right now, that Randle wouldn't mind sharing the wheel to close out games.

Westbrook comes to mind, as far as having an alpha male who would not defer to Randle, Lebron or anybody. I know, I know, knick fans don't like him. And just watching him with the Lakers, his shooting is awful and I remember saying I don't like him. But he has that alpha type personality that would not defer to Randle every position. Paul George is another person that comes to mind, after reading this 3 team trade rumor, PG is a possibility, if the rumor is true. But there aren't too many alpha type options out there, which is why I always felt it's difficult to build a championship team around Randle. Unless you bring in a top 10 talent, like the lakers did when they traded for AD. Randle needs one of those top alpha dogs to play with. Otherwise, these young guys we have will just defer, whenever Randle is on the court.

What fans do like Westbrook? He's an empty calorie stat stuffer and now he's on the down side of his athleticism.

I don't get the pro psyche sometimes. Someone that gifted can't spend a few months each year working on simple things like 3 pt shooting, moving without the ball, setting off ball screens, defense, etc. It's not like he's not capable.

I cannot even imagine what would we have to part with to get PG.

Westbrook can stil play and only has 2 years left on his deal. He and Lebron aren’t good together so he will be available and is the slashing zone destroying pg we need

Randle has the same Role as LBJ, so how would WB he fit well here

Because a lot of you have mocked and given BRIGGS a hard time throughout this thread - as if a SERIOUS RUN was not about to happen this year.

And the run that we were about to go on (that BRIGGS was referring to last month) is right here / right now. It's actually already happening

Vs. Hawks = Win.
@ Minnesota = Win.
@ Detroit = win.

Currently on a 3 game win streak.

Next 11 games.

@ OKC (12-22).
@ Toronto (14-17).
Vs. Pacers (14-21).
Vs. Celtics (16-19).
@ Boston (16-19).
Vs. Spurs (14-19).
Vs. Mavericks (16-18). .
@ Atlanta (15-19).
Vs. Hornets (19-17).
Vs. Timberwolves (16-18).
Vs. Pelicans (13-22).

Only 1 team (Charlotte Hornets) with an above .500 record.

What if the Knicks go on an 11 game winning streak (14 consecutive)?

That'll put us @ 28-18 (.608%) and 10 games above. 500 after 46 games.

Or what if the Knicks just only go 8-3 throughout these next 11 games?

That'll put us @ 25-21 and 4 games above. 500 after 46 games.

(in comparison to 24-22 after 46 games last year before falling to 25-27 after 52 games last year)

These Knicks are going on a RUN.