nycericanguy wrote:I think what Thibs did early on was play the starters as much as possible together. I mean why not? they were all healthy. Brunson is literally the only starter here from opening day last year, so why not take the chance to play them all together and develop chemistry while you can? Especially with guys like Precious and Shamet out.

Now we are seeing him dial back the minutes, with Shamet and Precious back, and Mitch in the pipeline. But our starters have great chemistry now.

Almost like Thibs knows what he's doing and doesn't care what people say, but people really do need to stop doubting him. I already saw posts about how Thibs wasn't the best coach for this team... the best coach we've had in decades, appreciate it.

+1000

Sometimes you just deal with the cards in front of you and build from there. It ain't rocket science.

Integrating rookies into any team is very difficult, the learning curve is steep. Same as going from high school to high level D1, only 100 times harder.

VDesai wrote:

SergioNYK wrote:Definitely was the statement win game of the season so far! Grizzlies came in on a 6 game win streak and with the 5th best record in the entire league and we just beat them into submission! Forced 26 turnovers! Second straight game scoring 143 points too!

Impossible to give a player of the game for this one cause everyone had a hand in this win. I guess I'll start with Bridges cause he was just outstanding! Not only did he pretty much shutdown Morant but he also dropped 28 points. Great sign to see KAT hit some threes too cause he was like 1-9 since the thumb injury and went 2-4 last night. We need his shooting! Loved those touchdown passes for layup's! Best QB in NYC! Brunson was good and I loved that triple threat stand off against Ja where he hit a 3 in his face! Those fouls in the first half were all bull****. 6 steals for OG and Hart with his typical Hart hustle plays getting all the loose balls!

Bench had their best game of the season. Precious with that monster dunk and great defense and Deuce with the Knicks dunk of the season off that pass from Kolek! Payne went crazy in the 4th and Shamet had some nice defensive stops too.

Just a great win that I personally needed after that awful football weekend.

Garbage time minutes of course, but I thought Kolek threw a few dimes last night. The pass to Deuce was pinpoint and beautiful. Truly the confidence of a real NBA PG on that play. I think having that time to dominate the G-League and play floor general has brought him more confidence. I also liked the way he handled the press up the floor on a couple of occasions. I think Cam Payne is the right backup point for this team right now because of the energy and potential for scoring that he brings (which is badly needed in the bench unit), but Kolek in really good shape to be a good backup PG next year.

There is going to be a stretch some time this year or most likely next where Kolek just is Linsanity fun to watch and it'll be bonkers.

It's the perfect team for him too. They already know how to make up for a lefty PG who is defense deficient, so no change for the rest of the guys

VDesai wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:I think what Thibs did early on was play the starters as much as possible together. I mean why not? they were all healthy. Brunson is literally the only starter here from opening day last year, so why not take the chance to play them all together and develop chemistry while you can? Especially with guys like Precious and Shamet out.

Now we are seeing him dial back the minutes, with Shamet and Precious back, and Mitch in the pipeline. But our starters have great chemistry now.

Almost like Thibs knows what he's doing and doesn't care what people say, but people really do need to stop doubting him. I already saw posts about how Thibs wasn't the best coach for this team... the best coach we've had in decades, appreciate it.

Oops I responded to your second post and didnt see your first post, but I just made this exact/point observation. The Heatles took a while to get chemistry and they were the greatest trio of all time. To me it was a little crash course early in the year to ensure they had the right chemsitry come playoff time. Now you can integrate the bench over the 2nd half knowing you've been through some lumps already.

Right, especially for a team that got upended with a last minute trade. That's a complete style change.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1884109483636580839

Philc1 wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:My Precious!!!

May have wet myself on 2 of Precious dunks tonight.

He really is blossoming as a player

he doesn't have the feel, IQ or shooting to really be much better than what he is now. Nice bench guy that can occasionally make you think there's more there, but there isn't.

VDesai wrote:Gotta temper your expectations with Precious because he's had stretches of great play mixed with doldrums his whole career. I do believe if utilized as a switching defender who aggressively goes after the ball he can be a real weapon. He has great shotblocking timing and and the agility to stay with players on the perimeter.

Even last year he had a long stretch where he was an excellent finisher in the paint and was scoring in the paint well with both hands, but then it seems to go away/dissapear for stretches. He is a little uneven with his focus, but when locked in he's a really fun player to watch at times.

It took more than a year for iHart to get up to speed on what his strengths were and I think it'll be the same with Precious. He has got to focus on the D end of things and then let the offense come to him like last night.

That's his path to maximizing his game. And Thibs is the perfect fit for him.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1884170671200297406

nycericanguy wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:My Precious!!!

May have wet myself on 2 of Precious dunks tonight.

He really is blossoming as a player

he doesn't have the feel, IQ or shooting to really be much better than what he is now. Nice bench guy that can occasionally make you think there's more there, but there isn't.

Some truth there BUT if Mitch as an example can be considered a key/impact player as a rim protector than certainly Precious can provide a similar impact as a 1-5 switchable defender, a rim protector and on some of his dunks lately Mitchy would still be trying to cross 1/2 court.

Outside OG - Precious is our best 1-5 defender --- he may not shut down every 1 on 1 match-up but he will put up a fight, move his feet and contest at the rim. On a team with 3 (sometimes 4) guys capable of going for 40 on a given night a versatile defender like Precious is key.

Lets not forget he's probably the best pure athlete on the team in terms of speed/quickness/explosion.

absolutely, what he brings is great and much needed. I'm just not sure there is another level there.

He also has real hustle. Diving on the floor. Closing out 3s. Love my Precious. Need to see him signed for 4 years.

BigRedDog wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:My Precious!!!

May have wet myself on 2 of Precious dunks tonight.

He really is blossoming as a player

he doesn't have the feel, IQ or shooting to really be much better than what he is now. Nice bench guy that can occasionally make you think there's more there, but there isn't.

Perfect take on Precious. Thank you

I will happily take what he's giving us now off the bench and be grateful for it. If he was better he wouldn't be a bench player and we wouldn't afford him

EwingsGlass wrote:

BigRedDog wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:My Precious!!!

May have wet myself on 2 of Precious dunks tonight.

He really is blossoming as a player

he doesn't have the feel, IQ or shooting to really be much better than what he is now. Nice bench guy that can occasionally make you think there's more there, but there isn't.

Perfect take on Precious. Thank you

I tend to disagree. I think he has genuine upside that I would be hesitant to tap without locking him up on a 4 year deal. The shooting touch is a fair comment but the IQ is a bit insulting.

He is an athletic anomaly that has consistently been locked behind more skilled players. But his stats show a player that exceeds the output of Montrezl Harrell with better motor and head. This is in the vein of a perennial 6MOY candidate.

When given the ability to be 1st or 2nd option (see preseason Charlotte) he put up a 20pt 20 reb against their starters.

I think he is sorely underestimated by this chain. My only desire is that they should lock him up at 4 years 7.5m per before he truly breaks out.

Precious about to lead the league in 3P% the second half of the season.

Philc1 wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:My Precious!!!

May have wet myself on 2 of Precious dunks tonight.

He really is blossoming as a player

I believe he’s blossoming in the roll he is given.
Thibs is playing the bench more
Players are building confidence
We are only one move away from winning a chip.
We just need a big man who can protect the rim.

Sometimes the best trade is no trade at all.