nyknickzingis wrote:Thomas is best served as a backup 4. He's quick for that position and can stretch the floor on offense.

With the THJ injury he is playing more time at 3.

Our usual rotation would be THJ/McDermott at the 3, and Porzingis/Thomas at the 4. I see nothing wrong there. Where we need help is the PG spot. While Jack is solid and a good vet, he is not a starter in the league. We need a starter. One that plays like Jack in regards to his veteran presence and one who passes the ball. Unlike Jack though, a threat to also score.

Trey Burke is not the answer. The right PG has to be brought in. I liked George Hill over the summer. I like Ricky Rubio. We need a player that will play off Porzingis, Kanter and Hardaway. But also be aggressive and create shots for teammates. This can be Frank, but it will be a while before Frank can do this as a starter. We need a veteran that can do it for now, in the meantime, say the next 2 years, until Frank is ready.

Interesting to see if Sacramento would be willing to deal George Hill. I think that's a really good point guard for where we are right now. He'll step aside for Frank and can even play with Frank. He can run a team. He can shoot and score when need be. He will play well off Porzingis and Kanter. Wonder what Saramento would want for him. I'd also suggest Mike Conley. but I don't want the Knicks taking on that contract.

No problem if we don't want a longterm rebuild .... but we then need to make some moves to get a better backcourt to increase our chances at being a playoff team.

martin wrote:

nyknickzingis wrote:The thing I don't like is that Jack neither puts us in the playoffs or we are developing Frank.
If we really want to win now and be a playoff team we need to make a trade because what we have is borderline playoff. Highest odds are to be just missing the playoffs as a 9 or 10 ranked team.

No problem if we don't want a longterm rebuild .... but we then need to make some moves to get a better backcourt to increase our chances at being a playoff team.

Why do you keep saying the Knicks are not developing Frank just because he is not starting?

I think the Knicks are doing things quite nicely. If they had started a Frank the first unit would have been worst off than the first 3 games under Sessions (ie you don’t develop KP THJr Kanter
Lee unit) and maybe Frank is overwhelmed.

Even guys like Nash at 22 didn’t start. Plenty of other examples.

Not only is Frank getting plenty of minutes, he's often closing out games. They're developing him just fine.
He's a rook. And his conditioning still needs to come along. He often looks gassed.

CrushAlot wrote:

Welpee wrote:

Finestrg wrote:I agree with this. While I respect the scrappiness from both guys, I think we're better off going more with Beasley and like I've been saying, I want an obtainable upgrade at PG without breaking the bank (for now anyway) -- go get Cat Barber from the G-League and let's see if I'm right on the production he can provide. Cat Barber = a MAJOR upgrade over Baker imo, even our starter, Jack. He's fully capable of providing all the requisite facilitation Jack's been providing + so much more -- speed, breakdown ability, the ability to take over offensively.. Those two minor, no-skin-off-our back moves (if it didn't work out, we turn the page quickly), are the way to go first before we trade for Tyreke Evans or anything else brash. Up to me, Barber would've been a Knick weeks ago, and now that Beasley's been showing his worth, he needs to play more. Can't have his mins. limited at all in any way by Lance Thomas.

I would prefer calling up Tre Burke.

I haven't watched the d league much this year. Barber looked great last summer against the Knicks. Was Burke on the squad at that point? I like Barber but there is something to be said about bringing up your own guy. Either way, it would not be a huge risk to give one of those guys some run with the big club. Not sure who the Knicks waive though. Sessions?

reub wrote:Baker should be shooting threes and playing hard defense. Having him dribbling and driving to the hoop is counterproductive.

When he goes to the hoop he needs to go with the mentality that he will throw it down. Dunk or get fouled-- he's 6-4 225.

BRIGGS wrote:

reub wrote:Baker should be shooting threes and playing hard defense. Having him dribbling and driving to the hoop is counterproductive.

When he goes to the hoop he needs to go with the mentality that he will throw it down. Dunk or get fouled-- he's 6-4 225.

Forget that.... He's a guard... if you don't watt him dribbling and driving then this guy doesn't belong In the nba. He can't even shoot so it's a no brainer that he doesn't belong here