IF we don't turn it around... think we need an upgrade at SG, a true Number ONE and last but not least, an assistant coach that pushes more ball movement.

1) Love Grimes but we need a guy with has more experience and can flat out shoot. Having a second year guy backed up by a hustle guy, who struggles shooting, is not what you need from your SG spot if you want to go deep in the playoffs.

2) We need a true number one who is a next level player and relishes high pressure situations. Someone who can overcome all the defensive adjustments. Hate to say it but we did not need DM to beat the Cavs but we needed DM to beat the Heat or other higher level teams. Think JB was that during year but against the top teams defensive attention, he is slightly limited physically.

3)Our offense is one dimensional. Always played for good coaches who preached attacking the weak side with ball movement. The theory being that you can't have success trying to score against the first defensive position of the defense. (Strong side) You have to attack the strong side, get the defense to converge then swing the ball around and attack the weak side. If you look at the Heat, they do that extremely well. Drive to strong side, kick out, then swing one or two passes to open players. We have JB, Randle and RJ, our big three, who are called to Iso and attack the strong side. As much as Randle turns the ball over, he is actually the only one out of the three who looks to kick it out to start ball rotation. We need an offensive minded assistant coach who preaches that mindset and keeps the ball from sticking. While still keeping Thibs tough defensive approach.
Will add that despite my call for better ball movement, coaches can't make the shots. The Knicks have shot terribly throughout the playoffs. So too much emphasis on what coaches can do to change our recent outcome would be ignoring that.

Imho, we need the above if we want to make deep runs in the playoffs.
As well as ALL our remaining players to improve their many weaknesses.

VDesai wrote:We are a more talented team and capable of beating them 3 straight. But right now the mental switch is flipped. The Heat believe they can push us around, beat us to loose balls, and execute. When we are scoring, they match every basket. When we are clamping down defensively, they clamp down on us harder. We are playing like a team that is overwhelmed and can't hang. Something has to change mentally.

Before the series I honestly thought we’d win with home court. Heck I thought we’d win in 5.

Here is what happened.

They figured out how to defend us— very similar to how Atlanta did 2 years ago. They have the best player on both teams. We have to guard their 5 man so they can spread the floor better and they are great ball movers. The net differential at the 5 position cancels out a huge chunk at other position. They have a center who can score— we do not. They use the 5 position and when hart is in there his guy to hedge off and swarm. They put great ball pressure on Brunson.We played good in Miami game 4 but still soundly beat.I can’t say anything about injuries as they are missing Herro. I’m highly dissapointed but will take it one game at a time

VDesai wrote:We are a more talented team and capable of beating them 3 straight. But right now the mental switch is flipped. The Heat believe they can push us around, beat us to loose balls, and execute. When we are scoring, they match every basket. When we are clamping down defensively, they clamp down on us harder. We are playing like a team that is overwhelmed and can't hang. Something has to change mentally.

Think this is the take anytime a team loses. Team fought hard. Came out of the half hitting everything. Problem is we did not make any shots in the first half or in 4th. When that happens, fans look for other deeper narratives. Like guys were not hustling, refs hating us and so on. Make more open shots and perception of things you mentioned is completely transformed.

Moonangie wrote:

VDesai wrote:We are a more talented team and capable of beating them 3 straight. But right now the mental switch is flipped. The Heat believe have shown they can push us around, beat us to loose balls, and execute. When we are scoring, they match every basket. When we are clamping down defensively, they clamp down on us harder. We are playing like a team that is overwhelmed and can't hang. Something has to change mentally.

Fixed.

They are focussed on stopping Randle and JB.
Our three point shooting in 28% for the series.
JB and JR have to trust their shooters.
IQ, Grimes, Hart and RJ have to make .ore shots.

I look for IQ and Grimes to be the key.

Knixkik wrote:On the grimes topic for a minute. Grimes has underperformed offensively no question. Obviously his skill set is still useful though. My thought is this. I believe a package around Barrett, Rose and picks for LaVine is the way to go if it’s possible. LaVine starts at SF with grimes at SG, but Hart is essentially the SF. A lineup of Brunson, LaVine, Hart, Randle and Mitch/ Hartenstein to close games is really good. Grimes and Hart for 48 mins covers the opposing teams best perimeter player.

Zach would be even worse at SF fulltime than RJ. Grimes is a good defender, but not enough to make for Randle, Lavine and Brunson. I think Grimes would have to go if you make that trade.

HofstraBBall wrote:

Moonangie wrote:

VDesai wrote:We are a more talented team and capable of beating them 3 straight. But right now the mental switch is flipped. The Heat believe have shown they can push us around, beat us to loose balls, and execute. When we are scoring, they match every basket. When we are clamping down defensively, they clamp down on us harder. We are playing like a team that is overwhelmed and can't hang. Something has to change mentally.

Fixed.

They are focussed on stopping Randle and JB.
Our three point shooting in 28% for the series.
JB and JR have to trust their shooters.
IQ, Grimes, Hart and RJ have to make .ore shots.

I look for IQ and Grimes to be the key.

Where do you come up with this BS? Did you even watch the game. Vincent 1 on 1 with Brunson. Adabayo 1 on 1 with Randle. Once in awhile Butler Picked up Randle 1 on 1. If either got Strus switched onto them it was green light to the basket.

This Brunson, Randle and RJ taking turns going 1 on 1 offense is why we are so easy to beat. Even if we upgraded and surrounded those 3 with better outside shooters... it would still be easier to defend because everyone knows the flow. Add to that Randle and the majority of players (not named Brunson) play tight and don't handle pressure well...

As much as I've complained about Randle the past few seasons - it really comes back to Thibs. I give him credit for trying to play more younger players and shifting hit rotations... even improving on game to game sdjustments. Spolestra makes in game adjustments and we never seem to know how to pivot in response.

Maybe we squeak out one more win and even though I despite the Heat - I have to admit they are actually more fun to watch as they play more teamball, hustle more and play their roles really well.

HofstraBBall wrote:

Rookie wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

Moonangie wrote:

VDesai wrote:We are a more talented team and capable of beating them 3 straight. But right now the mental switch is flipped. The Heat believe have shown they can push us around, beat us to loose balls, and execute. When we are scoring, they match every basket. When we are clamping down defensively, they clamp down on us harder. We are playing like a team that is overwhelmed and can't hang. Something has to change mentally.

Fixed.

They are focussed on stopping Randle and JB.
Our three point shooting in 28% for the series.
JB and JR have to trust their shooters.
IQ, Grimes, Hart and RJ have to make .ore shots.

I look for IQ and Grimes to be the key.

Where do you come up with this BS? Did you even watch the game. Vincent 1 on 1 with Brunson. Adabayo 1 on 1 with Randle. Once in awhile Butler Picked up Randle 1 on 1. If either got Strus switched onto them it was green light to the basket.

What's the Bull**** ?

Shitty Shooting Percentage?
Miami focussed on stopping JB and JR?
IQ, Grimes, Hart and RJ needing to make more thread?

You went on a rant on Randle and JB covering cats. Did I mention that anywhere in my post?

You claim I am not holding Randle accountable. Mentioned him not playing at level he played all year. Mentioned him being a poor three point shooter and needing to stick to bully ball. Mentioned how he is not a ball handler and needs to make better decisions to lower his TO's. But yeah you read my posts.
Problem is, fans like to pontificate some bull**** without taking simple facts into account.
They want to just blame and come up with simplistic narratives.
You clearly missed my main one above. 28% shooting. And YES , Randle and JB contributed to that.

Miami did not focus on stopping JB and JR. They were able to guard them 1 on 1 like I said above. Randle is just dogging it and his effort on D is killing us. I hate having to say **** like this but he doesn't get a free pass. I can forgive anything except lack of effort. This is why getting to the playoffs is so important and we wouldn't be here without Randle but WTF this guy needs to show up and especially give effort on D and stop ****ing up defensive rotations. Miami is literally toying with us with ball movement.

And yes, we need to shoot better. At least make open shots and free throws. Less turnovers would also be helpful. These things are all very obvious.

foosballnick wrote:

Rookie wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

Moonangie wrote:

VDesai wrote:We are a more talented team and capable of beating them 3 straight. But right now the mental switch is flipped. The Heat believe have shown they can push us around, beat us to loose balls, and execute. When we are scoring, they match every basket. When we are clamping down defensively, they clamp down on us harder. We are playing like a team that is overwhelmed and can't hang. Something has to change mentally.

Fixed.

They are focussed on stopping Randle and JB.
Our three point shooting in 28% for the series.
JB and JR have to trust their shooters.
IQ, Grimes, Hart and RJ have to make .ore shots.

I look for IQ and Grimes to be the key.

Where do you come up with this BS? Did you even watch the game. Vincent 1 on 1 with Brunson. Adabayo 1 on 1 with Randle. Once in awhile Butler Picked up Randle 1 on 1. If either got Strus switched onto them it was green light to the basket.

Don't think you're watching the same games that I am. Heat game plan is obviously to wear Brunson down. Vincent/Stus/Martin take turns harrying him or in ball denial D from the full court and then the double rotations come soon after mid-court. In many cases this defense is not only causing him to tire, but also limiting his ability to get into/operate in the paint and also causing the Knicks half court set to start with only about 10 seconds left on the clock. It's actually a pretty astutely thought out defense by Spo.....stop Brunson and you essentially stop the Knicks.

With this defense and IQ being ineffective and now injured, the Knicks entire offense - predicated on Brunson penetrating and operating in the paint is out of sync and essentially reverting to more ISO and doubles on the ball (i.e. mostly Randle). Even when they manage to rotate and find the open look - the open shots have not been falling with any consistency.

In last night's game we saw a bit more of Brunson deferring to guys like Barrett to take the ball to half-court. Unfortunately the best solution which is now likely out of the question, was to probably pair Brunson with IQ and have Brunson play off ball until the half court offense gets set. Both IQ and Brunson could have also taken turns at penetrating to try and confuse the D.

Strus is not a good defender. Brunson would eat his lunch. The heat haven't had to double Brunson. Vincent is a pest and capable of guarding him 1 on 1. They didn't trap more than a few times in game 4 so not sure why you are inferring that come as soon as Brunson crosses mid court. The only reason they did try and trap is because Martin could not guard Brunson at all. Martin is also the guy who intentionally jumped under Brunson when he was shooting the 3. He's a dirty MF and Brunson was going to work on him.

For the most part Mitch not being able to draw a big out of the paint is a big problem and if he isn't rebounding and they are fouling him he isn't very effective. Maybe the Knicks need to go small and spread the floor. It was effective in game 2.