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23 more games for players to buy in and the team to find an identity
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DLeethal
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2/27/2026  7:26 AM
One must hope that last years experience and the hiring of Mike Brown (and firing of Thibs) has sort of ingrained a playoffs or bust mentality on this team that has downgraded the importance of the regular season a little bit in everyone’s minds. Historically, teams have been able to “turn it on” when they need to come playoff time. Not sure that’s actually what’s happening here but time will tell. The message from the FO was clear when they fired Thibs - we don’t need to overwork our guys to win every last regular season game. That has to trickle down to the players either consciously or subconsciously.
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DLeethal
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2/27/2026  7:28 AM
There isn’t really a huge difference 2-4 in the standings either. Philly is the toughest matchup, you probably prefer Toronto but we don’t usually play Orlando well either. It’s all kind of the same outside of second round HCA for the 2 seed but I’m not sure our guys are gonna go balls to the wall for that alone.
Nalod
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2/27/2026  8:50 AM
Offense is similar but whats suprising is the defense.
Curious what if we took out the bad january losing streak? Im not saying it does nt matter, but it shows the ceiling to some degree.
That was are deeper and guys are playing about 3 min less, or 10% less should matter.

There has been many minutes with Towns/Mitch on the court at the same time. I don't care if they start, but can the finish together? They will foul Mitch!!!

Curious how that combo plays together statistically.

IM not a fan of teams flipping a swtich for the playoffs. I gather Brown is still finding his way with this team and they with him. Mikal, Brunson and Towns I suspect are a bit stubborn in their ways and I would not say "resisting" but finding a free flow style not easy.
Chandler
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2/27/2026  8:57 AM
Stats may be similar but I think we’re better prepared for playoffs.

Last year I felt we won games we were supposed to against weaker opponents but was worried that come playoffs we’d be dinged up, teams would mug JB, and we’d have little in the way of a Plan B

Not feeling that this year. Now I think when we lose (with some exception) we’re losing more than the other team winning. Eg missing shots on good looks. Some careless turnovers and fouls.

I’m hoping we peak at the right time

(5)(7)
martin
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2/27/2026  10:34 AM
BlueKnickers wrote:
EwingsGlass wrote:
martin wrote:Wild how similar they are


Agree. But they seem to be running the same 17 second dribble before the amazing mid range fadeaway model. Same offense. Different coach.

Same guy handling the ball is why. Brown just doesn't have the stones to tell Brunson what to do.

Early results of Brown's offensive approach were very positive. But habits take over and it is up to the coach to keep them on track. He has not and Brunson is back to pounding the air out of the ball.

Agree with this but does the roster have the players that would help alleviate your above? I don't think so, unfortunately.

OG, Mikal, Deuce, Hart, Shamet, Kolek, GTA.

Knicks just don't have the ball handlers until Diawara get his feels on. Or Giannis arrives.

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BlueKnickers
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2/27/2026  11:11 AM
martin wrote:
BlueKnickers wrote:
EwingsGlass wrote:
martin wrote:Wild how similar they are


Agree. But they seem to be running the same 17 second dribble before the amazing mid range fadeaway model. Same offense. Different coach.

Same guy handling the ball is why. Brown just doesn't have the stones to tell Brunson what to do.

Early results of Brown's offensive approach were very positive. But habits take over and it is up to the coach to keep them on track. He has not and Brunson is back to pounding the air out of the ball.

Agree with this but does the roster have the players that would help alleviate your above? I don't think so, unfortunately.

OG, Mikal, Deuce, Hart, Shamet, Kolek, GTA.

Knicks just don't have the ball handlers until Diawara get his feels on. Or Giannis arrives.

Some teams focus on types of players. Perhaps this FO needs to prioritize ball handling skills more in the future when making personnel decisions
martin
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2/28/2026  11:51 AM

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BlueKnickers
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2/28/2026  1:47 PM
martin wrote:

This week comes at a perfect time in the season to test what level they really want to play at. I say "want" and not "can" because this is about desire and effort now, not talent.

If this is a consistently competitive week with at least a .500 result then they may be able to sort themselves out by the playoffs.

But if they get spanked repeatedly in the next week, then they are not contenders and will not miraculously pull it together in the last 16 games to become a different animal.

Show us what you've got Knicks
Nalod
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2/28/2026  3:05 PM    LAST EDITED: 2/28/2026  3:20 PM
So new chant as "MSG":

Instead of "Defense!"......"Defense!",

we do:

"Try Harder......Do try harder"!!!!
martin
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3/1/2026  7:11 PM
Don’t give up hope!

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Nalod
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3/1/2026  10:16 PM
Can Mike Brown actually have a better defensive team than Thibs did?
I like todays balance and defense.
and yeah, they dove for the balls and had intensity.
Rookie
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3/2/2026  11:41 AM
I’ve missed the last 2 games. Sounds like they are getting their act together. I glad Bridges finally had a breakout game. They had to be by design to cudos to the coach.
martin
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3/2/2026  11:49 AM
Nalod wrote:Can Mike Brown actually have a better defensive team than Thibs did?
I like todays balance and defense.
and yeah, they dove for the balls and had intensity.

Especially with a healthy Mitch you can

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Nalod
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3/2/2026  12:41 PM
Mitch is a part of it, but there are so many more moving pieces.
In a way, Duece was lessor, but Landry is more this year. Injuries matter.
Our Demon is underrated in my opinion. So is Mikal. Not every play mind you.
The narrative around josh switched that we slaming him on defense now?

Knicks will continue to befuddle until the end of the season. THats just how it works.
Then we either going to the parade or complaining with hindsight brilliance. Same as it ever was..........
martin
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3/2/2026  4:22 PM
Perhaps getting there?

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23 more games for players to buy in and the team to find an identity
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