blkexec wrote:I feel sorry for RJ. He will get killed for that defensive lapse going under screen guarding a shooter. Then inexplicably took a bad 3 without running a set or creating space. He wants to be the man, but that’s a hard roll for him to play due to his lack of 1on1 moves which are too predictable.

But besides that he had a great game. Only true number players can step their game up in crunch time.

Missed free throws killed us.

Money Mitch. Can’t say enough about him. His play today made his contract look like a steal.

Great game for RJ ???? How many stupid drives and heaves to the basket did he do ? Man on two occasions he just shot like 5 feet off the net only to have a teamate catch the shot and put it in. The official scorer might have even given him an assist out of mercy. Plus his defense was trash all night. We win this game had Cam played ten more minutes

Alpha1971 wrote:Mitch, Randle, Cam, Grimes, Brunson should start. RJ, IQ, Obi off the bench with Hart or Simms and Rose come in as needed

I agree. I was going to say the same thing. RJ needs to regroup.

Knicks just don't do that. they put the ball in the hands of their high usage players who are not great shooters and many have not been clutch

as i've said before we need a killer more than a superstar (who are impossible to get anyway). We need a robert horry, mario elle, whoever. someone who plays big when it matters

my most realistic hope is that Grimes grows into a knock down shooter, or IQ shakes his funk. Geez i now trust Obi taking the shot more than RJ

Canaughton shooting kept them in the game, Great defense, and Drue Holiday clutch when Giannis looked tired.

Knicks look like a team that is getting closer to finding itself.

blkexec wrote:

Chandler wrote:game in a nutshell: bucks can flip it to Allen who is probably their what 5th option but can shoot it with confidence

Knicks just don't do that. they put the ball in the hands of their high usage players who are not great shooters and many have not been clutch

as i've said before we need a killer more than a superstar (who are impossible to get anyway). We need a robert horry, mario elle, whoever. someone who plays big when it matters

my most realistic hope is that Grimes grows into a knock down shooter, or IQ shakes his funk. Geez i now trust Obi taking the shot more than RJ

The problem is thats RJs role....."Canadian Mamba"

Thats why the knicks paid him. His problem is he should stick to his strengths, especially in crunch time.

Grimes would be a better player in those positions because he's a triple threat. RJ is too predictable, so it's easier for teams to defend him in crunch time. Basically treat RJ like Yanas....And dare RJ to shoot a 3. Thats how most players guard him. He will improve and get better, but when?

But we now have a pg w a brain. So he should be able to flip it to an open guy who can shoot. I’m thinking guys like Danny green (when younger). Maybe a Duncan Robinson. Even a Steve Novak of yesteryear.

Robinson was a monster! 20 rebounds with 11 offensive is insane! Really hoping he can somehow stay healthy and be more consistent because having a guy like that who can rebound and alter shots is a huge luxury. RJ had a good game but that last minute left a bad taste. I mean, his defense recovering on Allen's three wasn't too bad but it's the last minute of the game! You can't let anyone have even a little bit of time and space! I don't think he was locked in 110%. I also didn't like his last attempt from three. It felt like he was trying to play hero ball answering Allan and that's not his shot! Give it to Brunson, get to the corner and see if we can get a good open look. If that shot was a catch and shoot from the corner, I could live with it. But RJ taking a three on an Iso and pump faking is not a good shot imo.

Brunson was not 100% after he went down with the ankle to start the game. He's a gamer and tried his best so kudos for gutting it out but he didn't have the same speed getting into the paint. Hopefully it's not something that lingers. Randle was OK. Had some moments good and bad. The bench didn't really do anything special. Obi hit some threes which is a good sign.

Bucks are an elite team. Giannis is the best player in the league imo. He's just impossible to guard. Loved leaving him open to shoot the three but he made two of them. Robinson made it super tough on him but you simply cannot stop that guy when he's going full speed hitting reverse layups with contact. And Jrue is super underrated and good. Grimes couldn't check him. Portis hit some hooks but we'll live with that shot. And we'll never learn not to leave Connaughton wide open.

HofstraBBall wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Chandler wrote:game in a nutshell: bucks can flip it to Allen who is probably their what 5th option but can shoot it with confidence

Knicks just don't do that. they put the ball in the hands of their high usage players who are not great shooters and many have not been clutch

as i've said before we need a killer more than a superstar (who are impossible to get anyway). We need a robert horry, mario elle, whoever. someone who plays big when it matters

my most realistic hope is that Grimes grows into a knock down shooter, or IQ shakes his funk. Geez i now trust Obi taking the shot more than RJ

The problem is thats RJs role....."Canadian Mamba"

Thats why the knicks paid him. His problem is he should stick to his strengths, especially in crunch time.

Grimes would be a better player in those positions because he's a triple threat. RJ is too predictable, so it's easier for teams to defend him in crunch time. Basically treat RJ like Yanas....And dare RJ to shoot a 3. Thats how most players guard him. He will improve and get better, but when?

Agree with this. You can tell Randle and JB knew they did not have it going and went to more of a down low role. Passed off. JB tried to draw more fouls. RJ just thinks he has to do too much. Did have a good game early. As you said on another post.

Yep, I actually watched this game and early on RJ and The Greek both scored 20 of their teams 60 pts. So RJ was rolling. But the difference between the real mamba and Canadian mamba is Kobe stepped up in crunch time. RJ doesn’t seem to have that yet, under these broadway lights. Everybody is not built for this. RJ might get to that level but when? Meanwhile JB and Randle are there.

I think it’s time to split RJ and Randle up.