Knixkik wrote:He puts pressure on the defense that no other player does. Add in Mitch and suddenly it's a team that can get up and down and get easy baskets. DSJ clearly gets rattled easy and his shot will betray him here and there, but as long as he can keep his focus and stay aggressive, he changes the trajectory of the team. I still think the best 5 would be DSJ, Barrett, Knox, Morris, and Robinson with Randle at 6th man, but we know that won't happen. Run the offense thru DSJ and Barrett with the ball in their hands 80% of the time. Morris and Knox are both shooting 45% from 3pt range and should remain spaced at the 3pt line. Even if their percentage drops into the high 30s it's still effective. Mitch remains a great roll man and cutter on drives from Barrett and DSJ. Simple basketball and the right mix of players can get this team in the right direction.

We might get to that point with DSJ thru the season. Morris brings a grit that Knox does not. I like Knox in this role for this year. I think he is progressing with less minutes than last year. He has to sustain in defense which has not been even this year.
I"d like to see RJ at the three long term. Kid is 19 and he will be a beast in a few years. At this point I have to assume we are drafting pretty high. Take best player available. Groom a Stretch 4 or a PG. Long term its still wide open for everyone. One season at a time.......

https://nypost.com/2019/11/16/knicks-dennis-smith-regains-groove-after-channeling-tony-parker/

“So before the game I was just watching a whole bunch of Tony Parker, seeing how he got to the paint,’’ Smith said after Friday’s practice. “In the game, I guess I felt like I was TP. So I kept attacking and attacking. And trying to make things happen for my guys.”

Keep showing him Tony Parker video!

And it begs the question - did anyone on our staff suggest this? Because it seems brilliant and a no brainer kind of thing.

Believe Smith jr. was hitting in the 40 percent range from 3, in Dallas, before he hurt his wrist. As well as dealing with back issues.

You think of dynamic PGs like Mitchell, Sexton. Smith jr could be right up there with them, if the conditions are right, and Dennis puts in the work.

CrushAlot wrote:

Marv wrote:honestly when i watched him play last year he played like this. i still expect very big things from him.

This. Hoping the limp at the end of the Mavs game was not a big deal.

Played like that, if not better at times. And his back was hurt. We've seen the talent. Hasnt been able to string enough good games together mostly due to injuries. Still is learning though. Sometimes Smith jr looks like a kid with the keys to his Dad's Porsche. All that athleticism, making him too impatient, when the play doesnt develop fast enough.

A couple of months of steady PT, without any serious injuries should do wonders for DSjr, and the team.

Nalod wrote:The cryptic comment from Fiz last year was he wanted to see him and Frank on the court together. Obviously you draft a stud and it changes everything. Maybe RJ stays at the 2 or we draft the next great PG or SG. Keep them moving up and trade the surplus!!!

I'd like to see us go with a small line up - with DSjr and Frank in the backcourt, and RJ at the 3. I think it would help with ball movement.

franco12 wrote:

Nalod wrote:The cryptic comment from Fiz last year was he wanted to see him and Frank on the court together. Obviously you draft a stud and it changes everything. Maybe RJ stays at the 2 or we draft the next great PG or SG. Keep them moving up and trade the surplus!!!

I'd like to see us go with a small line up - with DSjr and Frank in the backcourt, and RJ at the 3. I think it would help with ball movement.

Balanced starting lineup. Shooters, D and iso guys

shinmen wrote:

GoNyGoNyGo wrote:Mitch
Morris
Knox
Rj
Frank

Balanced starting lineup. Shooters, D and iso guys

I like this starting lineup. I would be inclined to switch Knox with Dot juste because Knox is still a liability on defense against small forward starters.

I Like Dotson. No issue with him playing more. GOod 3&D and he rebounds too.