Reality is that as much as most of our guys have been underperforming, we are only 3 back of .500 and 1.5 back of a playoff spot. Only one game worse than last year. Said at the beginning of the year that we would have some obstacles this year:

1) East is better. Bad news going forward is that the Celtics have yet to gel. Sixers are only now getting going. Bucks and Heat are back to form. Raptors are finally healthy. Hawks will play better. Bulls are for real. Nets will get Kyrie back.
Good news is that we may see some teams give up by trade deadline. Teams like the Wiz, Pacers and Celtics may be sellers. Cavs just lost Rubio so may come back to earth and the Hornets are young and may cave with some pressure. Teams in the hunt with us also have to deal with the stronger conference.

2) Our starters will need time. Bad news: Kemba was hurt just when he was getting more comfortable. RJ has not been the same since Covid protocol. EF is not 100%. Randle is forcing things. The good news: The starters have had 37 games or so together. Mitch was back and getting in shape. RJ will have time to get more reps with Randle/Kemba out. EF has shown signs that he can be a three point threat and should play better if healthy. Knicks starters looked good for two games prior to Kemba getting hurt and protocol nightmare. Our players are not playing at their highest level and are 17-20.

Reality is:
1)We have a great second unit that has played well all year.(Despite IQ and Burks staring slow and Grimes a new weapon)
2)We have good young players that have showed promise and if given realistic timelines and expectations, they will contribute for years.(Give Obi a break and let Grimes and Deuce get a year under their belt)
3)We have an experienced tough nose coach that will make needed adjustments.(Even if it means less minutes for your hopefuls)
4)It is more important to end the season at your best than start strong and fizzle out. (Giant fans know this well)
5)Most importantly, our first UNIT has the experience and track record that they have the ability to play at a much higher level. When that happens we will have TWO units to give opposing teams hell for 4 full quarters a game. Do not understand why the fan conflict in who is starting and who is getting a chance to take someone else's minutes. Thibs sees these players in practice and knows their timeline. The best teams are the TEAMS that can put together strong complete rotations. If your a fan of the Knicks that should be all you care about. Strong rotations that get wins. NO MATTER who is playing what part.

Go Knicks! Looking for a strong rest of the season and perhaps for Rose to bring in that missing piece.

Our best player played like at top 10-15 player last season and now his PER puts him at 85 and we locked him into a huge contract.

Would you rather be Cleveland? Yes. The Bulls. Yes. Charlotte? likely. Three teams that are better than us now that didn’t make the playoffs last season.

Feels a lot like when we used to miss the playoffs and get the 9-12 lottery picks.

Can’t be a fan and feel good about the direction here.

jaydh wrote:I'll add to this... 6) Getting a lottery pick would be better than competing for a play-in loss.

Nah. Been there done that. As we have seen, 90% of draft picks result in role players. You can wish to watch our asses getting kicked every night for a lotto ticket if you want. I'll continue to watch Rose build this team correctly and compete.

ToddTT wrote:BAN KNIXKIK!!!!!

Having been here 20 years like you, I probably deserve it!!!

HofstraBBall wrote:

jaydh wrote:I'll add to this... 6) Getting a lottery pick would be better than competing for a play-in loss.

Nah. Been there done that. As we have seen, 90% of draft picks result in role players. You can wish to watch our asses getting kicked every night for a lotto ticket if you want. I'll continue to watch Rose build this team correctly and compete.

Yeah at this point win or lose, this team is no longer a dumpster fire. It’s a competent franchise and need to continue to build so people want to play here.

Lonzo was the guy they needed to target because of his age, defense, ability to shoot the 3 and IQ. He was what we needed. Not a tweezer and an injured pg that needs to be rested. Staying on the time line with upside was important.

If Randle was playing like at top 25 guy this team would be a 6-7 seed. No one thought he was going to be the same player he was last year. But resembling something close would be nice.

Problem with this team is everyone is essentially a tweener without a set position.

Jmpasq wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

jaydh wrote:I'll add to this... 6) Getting a lottery pick would be better than competing for a play-in loss.

Nah. Been there done that. As we have seen, 90% of draft picks result in role players. You can wish to watch our asses getting kicked every night for a lotto ticket if you want. I'll continue to watch Rose build this team correctly and compete.

I'm not sure this team is built correctly. RJ Barrett looks like he has peaked as a below average NBA starter. Fournier sucks ass. Mitch has no offensive game. Kemba is washed. Randle is the only passable NBA starter on the team

RJ rhetoric changes every 15 games. Like I said, expectations are the issue. Not the players. Please tell me which 21 year old player is performing at an All Star level? How many recent draft picks have posted 17,5, 5 in their second year as 20 year olds? Do I think he is going to be the next LBJ? Does not look like it. Is he a solid young piece who has a lot of potential and has showed maturity and solid promise? Hell yes.
Fournier is a streaky 3pt shooter. We have seen games where he gets on runs few can duplicate. Have you followed his career? What did you expect?
I can agree with you that I preferred other FA's but once he was a Knick, I knew what to expect. Still think he will help us in the playoffs.
Mitch has been here for several years. Instant energy, runs the floor and protects the rim. We missed him in the playoffs. Did you expect his off season youtube videos to translate into a deadly outside shooter? Kemba was a stop gap at low cost. Did you expect miraculous healing properties created from playing at the garden?

Don't think it matters though. Some just love to complain and talk about everything they do not have. Others are realistic and see things for what they are. This team is not finished. Clearly. But feel direction we are headed is finally good. The biggest problem, imo, since 2001 has been a short sighted unrealistic sentiment. One which has finally been limited to the fan base and no longer spreads to the front office. It is that short sighted and knee jerk view that has kept this franchise looking like a **** show.

ramtour420 wrote:

fwk00 wrote:Don't look up!

Just saw that yesterday! What a great movie. Finally Hollywood makes a funny comedy. A bit dark, but still a great movie that makes you think. I drew parallels to our current Covid situation. I particularly liked the Head of NASA who is is not an astronomer but instead has some other random education and experience. Not to mention giving the control over the fate of humanity to corporate business. Must watch , especially for ppl who can think for themselves and don't swallow everything that the TV says.