LT has been in and out of the lineup all year and has been hampered by plantar fasciitis, which has diminished his play. For the last two games, with KP hurt and LT getting the starts actually healthy, we have seen the LT we fell in love with last year. The LT who is a plus defender who could guard multiple positions, can knock down the open 3, ultimate hustle guy and overall consummate team player. Our defense has been a lot better the last 2 games, and that's because of LT at the 4. It makes me wonder: how better could we have been had we had a healthy LT all year? Also, when KP comes back, the front court of him and Melo is bad defensively--because of their lack of lateral movement to guard the perimeter (something LT excels at). All I know is LT asked to come back this year and we're finally seeing his value now that he's healthy again. I think we should make it a priority to resign this guy in the offseason. He's exactly the type of role player the team needs. I think we have some quality role players on this team going forward on good contracts: Lee, LT (if he resigns), Holiday (another player I would resign) and KOQ. If we found a diamond in the rough in either Baker and Randle, we should be in good shape.
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CrushAlot Posts: 59764
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I think you are right about LT. I think he should start the rest of the season. He fixes a lot of what was wrong with the starting line up and his hard play is contagious.
I'm tired,I'm tired, I'm so tired right now......Kristaps Porzingis 1/3/18
holfresh Posts: 38679
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Nope..Been saying it since preseason..I went to a game and saw that he was hurt...I knew Phil was banking on him big time being the guy to back up Melo and KP at both positions..he was a huge loss...
crzymdups Posts: 52018
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I said last off-season that he was a key guy. It really hurt that he was injured to start the season. I also don't think Hornacek understood his value and what his role should be until recently.
I wouldn't mind seeing a starting lineup of Melo/Lance/KP
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nixluva Posts: 56258
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I think many of us knew how important LT was and that was part of the optimism before the season. We expected to have a healthy LT at the start of the year and it made the defense an issue all season even when they were winning.
newyorknewyork Posts: 30259
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SocraticBallin22 wrote:LT has been in and out of the lineup all year and has been hampered by plantar fasciitis, which has diminished his play. For the last two games, with KP hurt and LT getting the starts actually healthy, we have seen the LT we fell in love with last year. The LT who is a plus defender who could guard multiple positions, can knock down the open 3, ultimate hustle guy and overall consummate team player. Our defense has been a lot better the last 2 games, and that's because of LT at the 4. It makes me wonder: how better could we have been had we had a healthy LT all year? Also, when KP comes back, the front court of him and Melo is bad defensively--because of their lack of lateral movement to guard the perimeter (something LT excels at). All I know is LT asked to come back this year and we're finally seeing his value now that he's healthy again. I think we should make it a priority to resign this guy in the offseason. He's exactly the type of role player the team needs. I think we have some quality role players on this team going forward on good contracts: Lee, LT (if he resigns), Holiday (another player I would resign) and KOQ. If we found a diamond in the rough in either Baker and Randle, we should be in good shape.
We resigned him last offseason
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CrushAlot Posts: 59764
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crzymdups wrote:I said last off-season that he was a key guy. It really hurt that he was injured to start the season. I also don't think Hornacek understood his value and what his role should be until recently.
I wouldn't mind seeing a starting lineup of Melo/Lance/KP
KP struggled at the 5 when they switched things up before. I do think LT needs to start.
I'm tired,I'm tired, I'm so tired right now......Kristaps Porzingis 1/3/18
TLover Posts: 21069
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Lance is not a starter in this league, but you can bring him off the bench for KP. Melo, or Willy and he can have a nice impact. He's a useful rotation player for sure.
smackeddog Posts: 38391
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nixluva wrote:I think many of us knew how important LT was and that was part of the optimism before the season. We expected to have a healthy LT at the start of the year and it made the defense an issue all season even when they were winning.
Yep, there are a few "what have you done for me lately" fans who point blank refused to acknowledge he's been injured all season, and have laid into him, but most people remember how good he was for us last year and realized that he'd be fine once the plantar fasciitis has healed (won't be until next season) .
yellowboy90 Posts: 33942
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I don't think Lance is that great of a defender or glue guy he just is better than most of the knicks because of his effort. However he does some stupid stiff on the court night in and night out.
holfresh Posts: 38679
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yellowboy90 wrote:I don't think Lance is that great of a defender or glue guy he just is better than most of the knicks because of his effort. However he does some stupid stiff on the court night in and night out.
Lance is not great but he is their best option off the bench..He offers options that Kuz and Holiday can't give you...
