ToddTT wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:I knew that Bridges was a finesse player when we got him. But not to the point where he seems to play an entire game without contact.

Unless Bridges is brought off the bench, Id rather trade him. As I said before, Jamal Crawford was also a finesse player,more offensive minded. Crawford moved to the bench and won 3 6th man of the year awards.

Bridges disappearing acts for long stretches might be solved with a bench role. More urgency to make the minutes count.

Bridges to the bench was probably too much egg on our faces this season.

But next year? Hell yes off the bench please. Sign me up.

Is Mikal better than Deuce? I don't believe he is.

Panos wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:I knew that Bridges was a finesse player when we got him. But not to the point where he seems to play an entire game without contact.

Unless Bridges is brought off the bench, Id rather trade him. As I said before, Jamal Crawford was also a finesse player,more offensive minded. Crawford moved to the bench and won 3 6th man of the year awards.

Bridges disappearing acts for long stretches might be solved with a bench role. More urgency to make the minutes count.

Bridges to the bench was probably too much egg on our faces this season.

But next year? Hell yes off the bench please. Sign me up.

Is Mikal better than Deuce? I don't believe he is.

Bridges is better when he wants to be. Too often he seems happy to spectate.

A bench role might give him the space to go on a run, without Brunson on the court.

VDesai wrote:

Benjy freaks out a bit about Bridges around the 10 min mark. He was acquired for 3 and D, and was lacking in both 3 and D

Yea the Bridges and Towns segments were alarming to hear ngl. These guys definitely are on point, and was pretty damning critique of both.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/knicksbeast/status/1997302924624671177

BigDaddyG wrote:

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/knicksbeast/status/1997302924624671177

Did Mikal suddenly improve or did Thibs fail him by not putting him in the best position to succeed.

Yes

EwingsGlass wrote:I know they aren’t the showiest, but guys like OG, Bridges, Deuce are the worth more than any additional star. If folks want to improve, I don’t think it happens by moving any of those three.

100% and I'd add Hart to that list

Panos wrote:

Panos wrote:Mikal definitely has grown into his roll and playing more impactfully this year.
I'm happy to see it. His defense has been tangible and invaluable especially with OG out. His offense has come in the flow and shot much improved over last year. I'm glad to see him bringing up the ball often to relieve pressure on JB. I do think he has the talent to get hot and carry the team offensively on larger shot volume but maybe that's just not him.
I hope he can keep up his solid play!

I was at the game last Sunday against Orlando. Watching him on the court with his defensive intensity and terrific mid range game made me think of Pippen.
Don't shoot the messenger

wow that's saying something

Im really under the belief Thibs was let go because Mikal was not playing well for him and perhaps would not have extended.
MIke Brown is getting MIkals best.
Thibs wore down Josh over relying on him with a thin bench.
Thibs did great with OG and Brown is not changing anything there.

Panos wrote:

martin wrote:

Panos wrote:

Panos wrote:Mikal definitely has grown into his roll and playing more impactfully this year.
I'm happy to see it. His defense has been tangible and invaluable especially with OG out. His offense has come in the flow and shot much improved over last year. I'm glad to see him bringing up the ball often to relieve pressure on JB. I do think he has the talent to get hot and carry the team offensively on larger shot volume but maybe that's just not him.
I hope he can keep up his solid play!

I was at the game last Sunday against Orlando. Watching him on the court with his defensive intensity and terrific mid range game made me think of Pippen.
Don't shoot the messenger

wow that's saying something

Picking a season from Pippen's prime vs Mikal this year:

Scottie Pippen 1994-95: 
PPG 20,   FG 50%,   3PT 34.5%, FT 70%,   RB 8,   AST 5,   STL 2.9, BLK 1.1
Mikal 2025-26 (W.I.P.):
PPG 16.4, FG 52.6%, 3PT 40.7%, FT 81.6%, RB 4.6, AST 4.2, STL 1.9, BLK 1.1

Pippen more scoring and RB, but Mikal on better efficiency. These are not per 36, and Scottie played 3.5 MPG more than Mikal this year: 38.2 vs 34.8.
Scottie was a downright thief tho: averaged near 2 or more steals per game for most of his time with the Bulls. Averaged 2.9 for back to back years 1993-94 and 1994-95. I guess Mikal's uptick in intensity steals and blocks is what has me thinking of Pippen in the first place. He had a stretch of TWELVE games with at least 2 steals.

Little unfair to compare the two. I love Mikal but Pippen is legitimately one of the best basketball players of all time he is overshadowed by Jordan. No way Jordan wins 6 titles without Scottie.

ramtour420 wrote:
Championships are built with two way players. He is a major piece of the puzzle. Can you imagine what would happen if he was to cut to the hoop every time Towns has the ball up high? Even if half of those result in points or fouls drawn our offense would go up by like 10 points per game putting us in historic territory. Yes, he might get hurt and ruin his streak. But that's the sacrifice Mikal could( should) take to bring us closer to the promised land.

OG isn't the one to do this, he is slower, more methodical. A power player. Bridges is finesse and that should be his role.

If he did that frequently, wouldn't that clog the middle if Kat then drives?

KAT at his best was a sequence: He hits two from deep. Richards then comes up on him, he blows by him. If the drop on Kat early, it could lead to a turnover or offensie foul. Or, Kat throws it out to an open man.
Mikal is very good at catch and shoot.
Im sure we'd all like him to get to foul line more. But thats not his thing.
KAT had a wide open lane and a great dunk. Not many big men can do what he did. Gain respect from deep and then have the handle to abuse the defense.

Games Played = 1st on Team.
Overall Win Share = 1st on Team (tied with JB/KAT).
BPM = 1st on Team.
Steals = 1st on Team.
Blocks = 1st on Team (tied with Mitch).
VORP = 1st on Team
FG% = 2nd on Team.
Offensive Win Share = 2nd on Team.
Defensive Win Share = 2nd on Team.
DBPM = 2nd on Team.
Points = 3rd on Team.
Assists = 3rd on Team.
FT% = 3rd on Team.
OBPM = 3rd on Team.
Rebounds = 4th on Team.
Player Efficiency Rating = 4th on Team.
3PT% = 5th on Team.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/NYK_Mentality85/status/2025986637482656020