jaydh wrote:

Uptown wrote:If we decide to bring back the core of this team, an upgade at the wing position that can push Josh to the bench is needed. The whole wingstop theory and the idea that we surrounded Kat and Brunson with elite to good defenders is not true. He's a better defender than Kat and Jalen, but Josh is another weak link on the defensive end.

Bridges best stretch of games was probably when Brunson was out with an injury and Deuce and then Wright took over the point of attack defensive duties. Bridges seemed more comfortable and effective when he was defending off the ball, getting into the passing lanes, and disrupting the other teams offense. We need a wing or a big guard that can take guard the point of attack and that can make the opposing team pay for daring to put a 5 on him.

I think the easy answer is to slide everyone down a spot (Brunson, Mikal, OG, KAT, X). If you can't start Mitch, then which center can we acquire that fixes the starting lineup?

Not sure if pushing Kat to the 4 and adding another center to the mix is the answer. Kat the 5 and being guarded by 5 allows to maximize Kats full offensive potential expecially, if we replace Josh with a legit shooter and go full 5 out. Kat at the 4 or when he's guarded by a wing takes away some of his advantages. Plus, against teams like the Pacers that want to push tempo, Mitch and Kat in the game together looked slow last night chasing the Pacers on the secondary break. The Pacers dropped 43 in the 1q last night.

Againt certain teams it can work, but I just feel like Kat at the 4 reduces his effectiveness on offense. It could work defensively against certain teams, but other teams may offer an issue for Kat chasing around quicker forwards.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Knicks need to do their best to add a 5th starter this summer using whatever resources available and keeping the bench of Hart, McBride, and Mitch. I understand the size concerns with mcbride next to Brunson, but we have also seen Mitch and hart not work as starters (with the other 4) and be more impactful off the bench. Knicks needs to find a 5th starter, either via trade or taxpayer MLE to fill that gap, make the starting 5 more complete, and then let mcbride, hart and Mitch come off the bench and blend in with the starters as all of them are great in the change of pace role. We may have to trade a combination of remaining picks (the Washington pick is still valuable since it will likely turn into 2 high second round picks), young players, and pick swaps. I don’t know who that player is, considering his salary can’t be high, but there’s a player out there ready to break out. I was advocating for Toumani Camara early in the year a month before the trade deadline. Too late for him with his breakout, but that is the idea. Front office needs to find that guy.

Or Deni Avdija, loved that guy too.

Yes I was high on him too. These are the guys who are out there who fit the bill. Just have to hit on them before other teams realize. Jake LaRavia has been thrown around. Maybe he’s willing to sign for the 5.7M exception ? He’s unproven but he can shoot, rebound, and seems to be a willing defender. Plays hard from what I’ve seen. That’s a gamble but maybe he’s another Hartenstein hiding in plain sight.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Knicks need to do their best to add a 5th starter this summer using whatever resources available and keeping the bench of Hart, McBride, and Mitch. I understand the size concerns with mcbride next to Brunson, but we have also seen Mitch and hart not work as starters (with the other 4) and be more impactful off the bench. Knicks needs to find a 5th starter, either via trade or taxpayer MLE to fill that gap, make the starting 5 more complete, and then let mcbride, hart and Mitch come off the bench and blend in with the starters as all of them are great in the change of pace role. We may have to trade a combination of remaining picks (the Washington pick is still valuable since it will likely turn into 2 high second round picks), young players, and pick swaps. I don’t know who that player is, considering his salary can’t be high, but there’s a player out there ready to break out. I was advocating for Toumani Camara early in the year a month before the trade deadline. Too late for him with his breakout, but that is the idea. Front office needs to find that guy.

Or Deni Avdija, loved that guy too.

Knixkik wrote:

NYStateOfMind wrote:This is what I guess, too. More of the same, but deeper. That's what she said.

jaydh wrote:would not be surprised if we run it back and just add better depth

Yes we just have to keep rounding out the roster. Indiana stayed the same and got better, why can’t we? Talent just needs time to come together with more depth behind it. It doesn’t happen all at once. This is a talented team. Continuity is important.

Im here. We a final four team. Our trajectory with our core is still a valid upside.
We got Watson, Beuachamp, and Dadiet all rostered for a reason. Its not to play this year.
Upside? I don't know. Thus trying to make roster moves without the imagination that more reps and time builds greater chemistry. Our "Lapses" and turn overs are more prevalent in the playoffs then previously. We are in the ECF's and really can't say this team looking good thru 3 series. We did win on talent and injuries matter both ways.

Maybe Brunson has another level up. Fucking Haliburton is annoying but he freaking was a star last night! A bonafide great performance! He is a worthy villain now! Just goes to show chemistry can get better. Pacers are formidable.

I think this would be valuable training to prepare my liver for next season.

DLeethal wrote:Trade KAT for Durant. Trade Deuce for Walker Kessler.

Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Kessler
Kolek - Wright - Hart - Mitch

Dadiet - Hukporti

Durant actually fills a ton of holes on this team and we become one of the best defensive teams in the league.

We get a deep shooter we desperately need who can get shots off against any defense. A guy who can play good team defense. Will also rebound and secondary playmake and hit the momentum shots that no one else on this team makes besides Brunson.

Durant will be 37 at the beginning of next season. He’s also a p ssy who will miss 30-40 games and throw teammates and coaches under the bus.

Philc1 wrote:

DLeethal wrote:Trade KAT for Durant. Trade Deuce for Walker Kessler.

Brunson - Mikal - OG - Durant - Kessler
Kolek - Wright - Hart - Mitch

Dadiet - Hukporti

Durant actually fills a ton of holes on this team and we become one of the best defensive teams in the league.

We get a deep shooter we desperately need who can get shots off against any defense. A guy who can play good team defense. Will also rebound and secondary playmake and hit the momentum shots that no one else on this team makes besides Brunson.

Durant will be 37 at the beginning of next season. He’s also a p ssy who will miss 30-40 games and throw teammates and coaches under the bus.

I’m looking at the next 2-3 years before we have a reset. We aren’t keeping everybody beyond that anyway, no one does that. Contending teams work through short windows and retool.

DLeethal wrote:Also we must consider selling high on Mitch. His value may never be as high as it is right now ever again. One more injury and it’s down to 0. As good as he can be in a playoff series, he’s barely capable of 20 effective minutes anymore.

Credit to Mitch for playing as many minutes as he has. I didn’t expect he would play this many games since his return.

Agree on selling high.

6'7"
Will be 28 next season
.384 career from three
.409 last season on 3.4 attempts

Might save OG and Mikal from playing 39+ minutes a game.

ToddTT wrote:In the off-season I believe I should up my alcohol consumption.

I think this would be valuable training to prepare my liver for next season.

Just let us know when you need to step beyond just alcohol. We have solutions, and training plans.