Miami is the perfect combination of superstar who steps up in the playoffs, secondary star in Adebayo, great shooters, and a couple of savvy former star vets in lowry and Love as the cherry on top. I think without Herro their rotation flows better. Not sure if they do this with Herro needing his usage.

Knicks have a culture changing star who is proven to raise his game in the playoffs. Brunson can be our Jimmy. We need a secondary star (can’t rule a healthy Randle out just yet), but equally important are shooters who have playoff experience. Forgot about age, Knicks need to improve the roster now. Guys like Finney-Smith or Bojan Bogdanovic are guys with a ton of playoff experience and we have plenty of expendable assets to acquire, while still having enough for a future star. It’s time to get pieces that compliment Brunson. Just get enough shooting and defensive guys and I don’t think we are that far away. This era of the nba is much more wide open.

I still think the Knicks are considering waiting out D Mitchell, who can realistically request a trade the season after next and have his wish granted to get to the Knicks. But in the meantime there’s a path forward that doesn’t involve landing the big fish yet. We need high level 3&D guys who pull enough gravity towards them where Brunson isn’t going to get constantly doubled. There’s plenty of option this summer, and I think the East will be open even wider next year.

Im really good with how we beat cavs and put up a good fight vs. Miami. Seems the better they do the more respect fans are giving knicks.

VDesai wrote:Yes a lot of respect. Milwaukee was a shocker, but they are dismantling Boston, which is a great team with 2 superstars most rate ahead of ours, and they were in the final last year. And they beat Miami in the ECF last year. This version of Miami has ripped their heart out. We lost, but we weren't demoralized the way that Boston has been.

KnickDanger wrote:I find it hard to fathom there are those who want to fire Thibs, tear it down, etc. after this year's showing. Gutty ugly team warts and all, gave us the best season in a long time. How many good seasons in the last 23 years please?

Knicks have a good young team and lots of assets and zero pressure to make changes IMO. I assume we bring Hart back and Im super excited about how all the guys adjust and work on their games. Feels like Grimes/IQ takes steps could quickly elevate this team.

Knicks were a tough match up for Miami despite Randle's two ankle sprains. Fans taking the negative take on his play instead of the grit it took to play hurt and year he had.
RJ proving those that said he was unable to elevate his game wrong. Fans focussed on sixth game instead of his increased efficiency in the playoffs.
JB proved he is an All Star and will considerably affect any series.
Knicks with just 8 rotation players yet gave Miami a bigger fight than Boston or Milwaukee.

Despite all the positives, Knicks can still improve.
Both within and by adding some pieces.
Shooting help is key. Can't win a tough series shooting how they did.
Bench help is also something that we need to improve.

Guys need to work on their games in the off-season. Coach needs to install some new drills during practice.

Also, my opinion of the team is still that we had a damn good chance at the finals if it weren’t for ankles.

Knixkik wrote:Right now I don’t get so many people wanting to move Randle for nothing. This team needs Randle. They need him during the regular season to take pressure off of Brunson. And if healthy I think he can do more in the playoffs. Ankle sprains can really disrupt a player’s rhythm even if they are healthy enough to move freely. There’s a world where Knicks can add shooting, get most of what Randle is capable of, and be right back in a mix but more dangerous.

Well I agree after looking at the land scape. We can’t make a move that puts us backwards, agree. But you always have to see both sides and Randle was the best player in the 1st 3 quarters, but quiet in the 4th and the playoffs. With that said, you don’t trade him for nothing. Obi isn’t ready to start. And if he did, need somebody else in that starting lineup besides RJ to take pressure off Brunson. Otherwise just hire another therapist for his emotions. Mentor him to stay even kill and not just upbeat when you do good. Just lots of damage to team chemistry on the court, because Jules is so pationate.

But I’m just as happy to have him back. Still need to fill some holes regardless of that like a catch and shoot player. We have too many rhythm shooters. Need grimes to work on that but need another grimes off the bench. Get that when we buy into the 1st round by trading Obi to the pacers.

Vmart wrote:Miami is top three seed in the east. If not for injuries they would have been seeded much higher if not at the top. The Knicks need a better center also we still should be thinking about upgrading the coach. I’m not a Thibs guy but I guess he has earned the right to be brought back. I mean we have coaches that went to the finals getting fired. Just saying.

I disagree that Miami is top 3 in the east from a talent perspective; they are what their record said. 8th seed, playin, a bunch of undrafteds, herro injured, bam and jimmy playing like beasts. Spo coaching and inspiring. As spo has said several times - Iron Will. That’s all it is really.

Health, chemistry and iron will is what makes champions.

Lakers lost to Denver really because of d Russell shrank and allowed Murray to outball them. Period.