HofstraBBall wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I'm probably treading the line of RJ-apologist these days but I came back very surprised.
- He has the highest +/- on the team by far
- He is good defensively by most metrics
- And when Randle plays center, Barrett TS% skyrockets to 75% based on 109 possessions.

A couple of conclusions here. Barrett looks like a star when his offense is going, but when it's not (more often than not these days) he's still a high impact player at age 20. Another thing is Barrett may be one of the most lineup-dependent players in the NBA. His scoring efficiency is completely based on who he plays with. When Randle plays center he's so much better. Obviously Mitch is the starting center, but when Toppin returns I want to see Randle slide over to center for the minutes Robinson isn't in there. Noel should only be an emergency rotation player at this point.

There's a reason Thibs plays Barrett so many minutes, he's a big wing who has the ability to impact the game with and without scoring at a good efficiency. Ultimately the shooting/scoring will determine his long-term trajectory, but we should feel okay that he's an impact player at age 20 even without the consistent offense.

So do you think this is more about Randle not being the right person at 4 or MR not be the right person at 5?

I think they are both fine as starters if the backcourt has 2 great shooters. But you have 48 mins at center. If Mitch plays 30 mpg than there’s 18 mins left. Randle should play those 18 mins at center and there should be Toppin or Knox at the 4. So Randle is 50/50 between PF and C. It’s more about the rotation than who starts up front.

Knixkik wrote:I'm probably treading the line of RJ-apologist these days but I came back very surprised.
- He has the highest +/- on the team by far
- He is good defensively by most metrics
- And when Randle plays center, Barrett TS% skyrockets to 75% based on 109 possessions.

A couple of conclusions here. Barrett looks like a star when his offense is going, but when it's not (more often than not these days) he's still a high impact player at age 20. Another thing is Barrett may be one of the most lineup-dependent players in the NBA. His scoring efficiency is completely based on who he plays with. When Randle plays center he's so much better. Obviously Mitch is the starting center, but when Toppin returns I want to see Randle slide over to center for the minutes Robinson isn't in there. Noel should only be an emergency rotation player at this point.

There's a reason Thibs plays Barrett so many minutes, he's a big wing who has the ability to impact the game with and without scoring at a good efficiency. Ultimately the shooting/scoring will determine his long-term trajectory, but we should feel okay that he's an impact player at age 20 even without the consistent offense.

This is what I love about him. He doesn't get riddled when he shoots 2 for 21, but fans do. He's only 20, so im sure he either reads all these negative post, or his 19 to 22 yr old friends will tell him. So he uses that as a heavy chip sitting on his shoulder. Instead of sulking...his determination to prove doubters wrong, and his work ethic to get better, will make him an all star.

SupremeCommander wrote:I think all this worry about RJ is friggin insane

He has a practically complete tool box.. he’s an inefficient offensive player right now. If he improves that, the sky is the limit

I think most of us are saying the same thing, with the proviso that he makes the most of his time when he has more shooters around him.

Knixkik wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:I think all this worry about RJ is friggin insane

He has a practically complete tool box.. he’s an inefficient offensive player right now. If he improves that, the sky is the limit

I think most of us are saying the same thing, with the proviso that he makes the most of his time when he has more shooters around him.

The line-up i really want to see is Mitch, Randle, Barrett, Burks, and Quickley.

We saw Burks in place of Bullock despite Bullocks great shooting. It seems like Bullock will continue to start but Burks will be the one to play "starter's minutes." Quickley obviously needs some more time before replacing Payton in the line-up. Payton is playing just well enough as are the Knicks. But those 5 together should provide adequate spacing and not give up much on defense, which i'm sure is Thibs primary concern. The knicks have an identity right now that's allowing them to win games, so can't rock the boat. As for Barrett, he continues to impress, we just need to have patience with the inconsistencies of a 20 year old.

Bullock and Burks is a wash.

You really just replacing Payton with Quickley. Burks and Bullock will battle for that 2 spot. I think Rivers is a 6 man type player...contributes in spurts. Right now, im not sure Quickley will bring that same energy as a starter. And let's say he doesn't, and we start losing. You can't just bench him, that could kill his confidence.

I was with the Quickley and burk train, but its hard to set Payton and Bullock when they are producing. That means we can build on developing that starting 5 group and bench group. Winning occurs when rolls are established. As we are seeing. Gotta give credit to thigs and the coaching staff. I was wrong. This starting 5 is improving amd geling

For now, quickley can work on being consistent and running the team by setting other people up. He can build chemistry with obi who is also a future starter...along with Knox whos been shooting well. Add rivers to that mix, and they can build some solid chemistry as a second unit. I believe Burks and quickley may end up finishing games....while Payton and Bullock will start.

blkexec wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:I think all this worry about RJ is friggin insane

He has a practically complete tool box.. he’s an inefficient offensive player right now. If he improves that, the sky is the limit

I think most of us are saying the same thing, with the proviso that he makes the most of his time when he has more shooters around him.

The line-up i really want to see is Mitch, Randle, Barrett, Burks, and Quickley.

We saw Burks in place of Bullock despite Bullocks great shooting. It seems like Bullock will continue to start but Burks will be the one to play "starter's minutes." Quickley obviously needs some more time before replacing Payton in the line-up. Payton is playing just well enough as are the Knicks. But those 5 together should provide adequate spacing and not give up much on defense, which i'm sure is Thibs primary concern. The knicks have an identity right now that's allowing them to win games, so can't rock the boat. As for Barrett, he continues to impress, we just need to have patience with the inconsistencies of a 20 year old.

Bullock and Burks is a wash.

You really just replacing Payton with Quickley. Burks and Bullock will battle for that 2 spot. I think Rivers is a 6 man type player...contributes in spurts. Right now, im not sure Quickley will bring that same energy as a starter. And let's say he doesn't, and we start losing. You can't just bench him, that could kill his confidence.

I was with the Quickley and burk train, but its hard to set Payton and Bullock when they are producing. That means we can build on developing that starting 5 group and bench group. Winning occurs when rolls are established. As we are seeing. Gotta give credit to thigs and the coaching staff. I was wrong. This starting 5 is improving amd geling

Bullock played 17 mins last night...Burks played just about as many mins with the starters if not more than Bullock did.

joec32033 wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

blkexec wrote:Agree..

For now, quickley can work on being consistent and running the team by setting other people up. He can build chemistry with obi who is also a future starter...along with Knox whos been shooting well. Add rivers to that mix, and they can build some solid chemistry as a second unit. I believe Burks and quickley may end up finishing games....while Payton and Bullock will start.

Is Obi really a future starter though ? Randle is a 26 year old allstar level player. I agree about the backcourt though. The question is where Rivers fits in.

I really hope Julius can sustain this play and it is a right player, right coach type of deal, but Julius can also opt out this year (I think) and he played really well in a contract year for the Pels. I'm not saying he isn't good, just that I hope he can keep this level of play/conditioning up for the year. I really thing the weakness here is shooting. I like Barrett initiating the offense and I think you need some really good shooters at the one (playing the same type of PG role that BJ Armstrong and Steve Kerr and Ron Harper played in Chicago-i think IQ will eventually fill this spot). You need a knockdown 2/3 who can defend (like Burks and Bullock but a step up- like Raja Bell used to play. At the very least you need a Rashard Lewis level 3 point shooter starting ). And you need one or 2 dependable scorers off the bench.

I don’t think he can opt out. It’s a team option.

Knixkik wrote:

joec32033 wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

blkexec wrote:Agree..

For now, quickley can work on being consistent and running the team by setting other people up. He can build chemistry with obi who is also a future starter...along with Knox whos been shooting well. Add rivers to that mix, and they can build some solid chemistry as a second unit. I believe Burks and quickley may end up finishing games....while Payton and Bullock will start.

Is Obi really a future starter though ? Randle is a 26 year old allstar level player. I agree about the backcourt though. The question is where Rivers fits in.

I really hope Julius can sustain this play and it is a right player, right coach type of deal, but Julius can also opt out this year (I think) and he played really well in a contract year for the Pels. I'm not saying he isn't good, just that I hope he can keep this level of play/conditioning up for the year. I really thing the weakness here is shooting. I like Barrett initiating the offense and I think you need some really good shooters at the one (playing the same type of PG role that BJ Armstrong and Steve Kerr and Ron Harper played in Chicago-i think IQ will eventually fill this spot). You need a knockdown 2/3 who can defend (like Burks and Bullock but a step up- like Raja Bell used to play. At the very least you need a Rashard Lewis level 3 point shooter starting ). And you need one or 2 dependable scorers off the bench.

I don’t think he can opt out. It’s a team option.

You're right. So he is playing to make sure he gets his option picked up and maybe an extension. I am all for keeping him if this is real but have PTSD about guys playing well for a year and getting bug contracts from the Knicks.