Philc1 wrote:

VDesai wrote:Bridges lacks the killer instinct the other Nova boys have. We just assumed he had it.

Timberwolves are 5 games above .500 and the 7th seed. DDV and Randle killer instinct headed for a first round exit.

Bridges lacks the fight Donte, Josh and Jalen have. The other guys from that Nova squad play with more edge and hustle. There's something missing in the guy. He was awful in all 3 Boston games and did nothing vs Cleveland. He isnt locking down the wing and screwed up the release point on his jumper to the point where he shoots flat and misses short on his corner 3s for long stretches. Both wings have been a problem in these games, but Bridges is just floating. 57 games in now.

We have to make a decision on extending him this offseason and I dont know how you do it.

Clean wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/CynicalNYK/status/1893821451242799545

There are some very alarming niche stats around this team. Ok our overall defense is 18th. Not good enough but on the surface not that bad.

But then you see things like KAT's numbers in drop, and also his numbers as primary rim protector, which are so much worse than the next guy its scary. Then you see not only are we bad at defending the 3, we are dead last at defending the 3. Worse than Sacramento who doesn't have a single defensive player on their team. We have Bridges, Anunoby, and Deuce, 3 "elite" defenders. Something is broken with our defense. Yet somehow we are 37-13 versus the field when you remove the 3 truly elite contenders.

It's a weird quagmire to be in. Do we make a lineup shift to a lineup that is 37-13 in hopes that it makes us more competitive vs the elite teams? Moving Towns to the 4 for Mitch is probably the only move that could drastically shore up some of our defensive flaws in the paint and maybe also help on the perimeter if guys can stay home. Minnesota was the best D in the league with Towns at the 4, so clearly it can work. Inserting Deuce probably gives us a more subtle defensive spark as well but won't help the KAT numbers.

VDesai wrote:Mikal averaging a career low in rebounds and FT shooting. Just not playing a very physical brand of bball. How much of this is about self-preservation? Hard to understand right now.

I think some of this coincides with his duties at the point of attack. Hard to get rebounds when you're on the perimeter. I think part of it is also self preservation and a lack of creative opportunities in the way the offense is constitutes.

ToddTT wrote:

Dragon wrote:Can somebody help me understand something, when we got Bridges, we started advertising the wing stop on the bases that we have OG and Bridges which are very good in defence...... I understand when somebody struggle shooting the ball, but if you are a good defender, you will always be good defender.....
is that all because we don't have Rim protector? if Mitch is playing, then OG and Bridges will shutdown 3 points shooters (along with the Hart and the rest)? or there is something fundimantaly wrong/changed from last years great defence?

There was a reason why OKC willingly paid so far over market value to take him from us. That is why I was so sad when he left. He does so much on both ends of the floor. He covered for so many defensive mistakes when perimeter guys got beat. Mitch might help but I don't think he can get us back to what we had with ihart. I remember we clearly played better once he took over for Mitch as a starter.

Clean wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

Dragon wrote:Can somebody help me understand something, when we got Bridges, we started advertising the wing stop on the bases that we have OG and Bridges which are very good in defence...... I understand when somebody struggle shooting the ball, but if you are a good defender, you will always be good defender.....
is that all because we don't have Rim protector? if Mitch is playing, then OG and Bridges will shutdown 3 points shooters (along with the Hart and the rest)? or there is something fundimantaly wrong/changed from last years great defence?

There was a reason why OKC willingly paid so far over market value to take him from us. That is why I was so sad when he left. He does so much on both ends of the floor. He covered for so many defensive mistakes when perimeter guys got beat. Mitch might help but I don't think he can get us back to what we had with ihart. I remember we clearly played better once he took over for Mitch as a starter.

100%

Let's even put aside his defense and rebounding.

iHart's ability to pick and then re-pick players and also make passes to cutters and move without the ball to create space.

He is a 7' version of Josh Hart in the way those intangible plays come to fruition.

And you have to guard him outside of just the dunkers spot, those middy floaters are killa