Smith jr looked a little more energetic, showed a little more athleticism. But look at his first game as a Knick, when he filled the stat sheet with a bad back, and had no trouble getting to the rim and elevating. Looks to be in the best shape of his career now. Whats wrong with this picture?
Still looks very risk averse.

Knowing what we do now with Rose's relationship with Frank, I doubt he sticks. What did Rose tell Frank what he apparently didnt want to hear?

Knixkik wrote:Bumping this just to drive home the point; this is the lineup that will allow Barrett the needed spacing to be a more efficient scorer (and less likely to settle for threes that currently aren’t going in), it will allow for a consistent Randle at the level we are seeing, and space for Mitch Robinson to find his spots as a finisher without much help defense. Bullock is okay but just isn’t a consistent scoring threat at this point. Burks is a true 3-level scorer so he just gives more value to the team, and Quickley at the very least will catch and shoot, drive to the hoop and keep the ball moving. Hope we can see these guys on Saturday, but this is the 5 I want to see.

Knixkik wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Bumping this just to drive home the point; this is the lineup that will allow Barrett the needed spacing to be a more efficient scorer (and less likely to settle for threes that currently aren’t going in), it will allow for a consistent Randle at the level we are seeing, and space for Mitch Robinson to find his spots as a finisher without much help defense. Bullock is okay but just isn’t a consistent scoring threat at this point. Burks is a true 3-level scorer so he just gives more value to the team, and Quickley at the very least will catch and shoot, drive to the hoop and keep the ball moving. Hope we can see these guys on Saturday, but this is the 5 I want to see.

Something that was obvious in the off-season but not enough was done to help Barrett and Mitch along. Not to mention cutters and shooters for Randle to pass too. Watching Mikal Bridges and Haliburton play excellent basketball is making me want to throw a brick through my window. Imagine plugging them into this roster. I'm hoping one day our FO realizes that getting a collection of shooters and defenders will only lead us to wins but max free agents

Very true, but it feels like at least drafting Quickley and Toppin, and signing Burks is a step in the right direction. The problem is all 3 of these guys have been out nearly the entire regular season.

The line up looks decent on paper, and with current injury situation we just have to be patient. My concerns would be Burks on the defensive end and how many minutes will Thibs give to a young rookie pg? Bound to be growing pains.

I’m up for keeping this team together and resist the temptation to trade for harden/ Beal etc. Early days sure, but Imagine the current core plus another couple half decent draft picks. Let alone Cade or suggs...

HofstraBBall wrote:Prefer Rivers, Burks, RJ, Randle and Robinson.

Question will be. Once Rivers is fully ready. Will Thibs go with 8 or 9 rotation?
Would think MR needs Noel backing him up. So what happens with
Payton, Bullock, Quick, Knox and Obi?

Honestly I feel like Obi becomes the backup at both big positions.

Payton, Burks, Barrett, Randle and Mitch probably start

Rivers, Quickley, Obi off the bench early and Bullock and Knox see spot minutes as 9th and 10th men. Noel probably doesn’t see much time once Obi is ready and gets his rhythm.