Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.

Panos wrote:Honestly, I'm not sure why this Utah team is so bad. Kessler + Lauri + Sexron + Collins is a good core. I'd take any of those guys.

Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.

They were getting good open looks but couldn’t connect. I do think they struggle with length. They didnt have to pull Kessler out of the paint much and when they did, he was guarding on ball. For instance Kessler gave Brunson so distance but didn’t shy from the switch to cover Brunson on ball.

Now, I don’t think Utah is as good at shooting 3s as they looked. They shot their best and we shtlot their worst. Kessler took away the paint and got in KATs head with some early blocks.

I mean, we were airballing open looks. Not sure what that is about.

Panos wrote:Honestly, I'm not sure why this Utah team is so bad. Kessler + Lauri + Sexron + Collins is a good core. I'd take any of those guys.

Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.

The Jazz aren't bad when healthy - especially when Markkanen is healthy. They've been hit with the injury bug early and they've had a few season-ending types to rotation players. Consider that John Collins was supposed to be coming off the bench as perhaps their 4th big man.

One thing about this team is the Jazz are aren't built quite right for the modern NBA and don't sport guys with a pure 3pt stroke at all positions - they do however have aggressive attacking players - and if they get hot from the perimeter they're dangerous. On the other end They're an Ainge-built team that plays scrappy D and rebounds - albeit a team that has to cover Markannen's relatively weak D. (Markkanen is sort of the taller, more perimeter shooting Randle)

EwingsGlass wrote:Can we talk about KAT/Hart having plus/minus of -36 and -37 last night? Everyone talks about Bridges as the villain last night and his shooting was horrible, but he was horrible to the tune of -1. That KAT/Hart combo was less than ineffective, it was disastrous. This is the length issue. When teams have a ton of length, the Knicks have issues.

Hart plays defense against PFs. Unless he starts over bridges. One of the 3 should probably come off the bench.

Personally I rather have Mitch and Mikal or Hart off the bench.
I like Precious cause you have to guard him on offense so we add a center and still keep the paint open. Helps both sides

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (left calf contusion) is questionable for Monday’s game against the Nuggets and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Towns has played at an All-NBA level, averaging 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He’s shooting a career-high 45.8% on 3-pointers.

EwingsGlass wrote:Can we talk about KAT/Hart having plus/minus of -36 and -37 last night? Everyone talks about Bridges as the villain last night and his shooting was horrible, but he was horrible to the tune of -1. That KAT/Hart combo was less than ineffective, it was disastrous. This is the length issue. When teams have a ton of length, the Knicks have issues.

Hart has been putting up good point/rebound #s and shooting nice %s but his D has been poor at best.

He isn't closing out on shooters (than looks at other people when the 3 pointer goes in basket), he's losing guys off the ball and he's getting blown by guarding the ball.

We don't take a big step forward until Hart starts locking in on D and Mikal stops playing D like Mr Softie. Hell Sexton took him from top of key slowly walked him into paint and scored right in his face without a hint of a fight from Mikal (disgusting).