KnicksFE wrote:1. Why are the Knicks playing these guys who have no long term future in NY? Especially over the young players. Is obvious that the Knicks didn't learn from last season when they gave plenty of minutes to guys like Mudiay and Vonleh. 2. Whos f**** idea was to signed a bunch of guys with limited 3 point range? Every time I see the Knicks play they always have some Gibson, Porties, Randle in addition to Elfrid Payton in the lineup. This team is so poorly built, RJ and MR would look better if they had more room to operate.
1.) Miller is in the middle of the toughest part of our schedule and is missing Randall, who lately is playing up to his contract, and Morris, who has become an All-Star quality SF. Miller is filling in with veterans who are familiar with the level of competition and who, if they get hurt, open up legitimate reasons for the younger guys to step in. The veterans act as a competitive exoskeleton for players still too young to compete against the hardened teams.
That said, my question is why Knox and RJ are logging so many minutes when both are just killing us on the floor. Both could use a benching for a game or two. Call it load management.
2.) So far, Ellington, known for his 3 point shooting and signed as such, just can't seem to find the basket anywhere on the floor. It hurts. Murphy's law dictates that he will suddenly regain his stroke at his next stop.
But your larger point is true. The team is poorly built because it was not built to be a team. It was built to be a prototype. The FO signed whoever they could who they believed were better talents than the year before - let the chips fall where they may - prune, rinse, and repeat at the trade deadline [nearing soon]. What the Knicks have to trade are playoff contention assets that can supplement teams with big aspirations.
Now, the FO didn't expect such a poor W-L record but their investments are a mixed bag Payton, Morris, [now] Randle, Gibson, Portis, and Bullock have retained or gained value regardless that the team is struggling.
Hopefully, Miller's job is made easier by whatever moves the FO makes in the coming weeks.
