Its ok to miss Randle and I was a big fan of his. But remember the ball stoppage? I understand we all wanted a continued stretch of January of last year with OG but that was a window that got shut. No blame here on Randle for wanting fair value and knicks had a plan that did not jive with his. The signs were there with Mikal. Shit happens, and iHart moved on for good reasons. Maybe we bring that team back and succeed? We'll never know until someone talks about it who is actually in the room. We are not.

KAT now vs 50 games from now might look a bit different.

I disagreeiwth Mikal being 2nd option. that should be KAT. With starting unit he and OG make the cuts or punish the defense if they double. They are more than capable. Mikal will play with the 2nd unit and should be 1st option if the Kat and Brunson are sitting.

Cam Payne on second unit? Jury is still out. Last night there were looks I did not like of his. there is a reason he was a free agent and on a one year 3mm deal. Kolek in garbage time last night was up against Indy's bench who is very talented/deep and out for blood to be respectable. Thus the garbage time last night was not a good one four knicks.

Outside of last night, if the plan is to integrate them over the this and into next season I get it. If sooner, and needed, even better. Im not calling them out as ready or not. Lets not forget you take a rookie and play him with our starting unit they will look good. With just other rooks not so. This is not just knicks, its other teams. Miami has a good process and its why they succeeded with Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin and now Jaquez. Thibs started sims when Mitch went out and kept iHart with second unit, but he got starter minutes and finished the game often.
Maybe Thibs does this again with Kolek if Brunson is injured. Teams will dare him to beat them. he responds and its his spots, they will have to respect it and the offense will be fine. if not, Payne gets the minutes.

Mikal need not be a star on this team but the real key is Josh Hart getting good looks and has to hit from the outside. If teams have to respect it this team will hard to stop!

Two games is hardly a test. 50 games and the trend thru 40-50 might tell the story at or near the trade deadline.

I know he was the #1 option in Brooklyn but the #2.5 option for the starting lineup and the #1 option with the second unit seemed to look really nice. Would love to see a ton of Cam, Deuce, Mikal with the second unit.

It would be wild to me if Mikal had just enough to be that guy for the second until, or enough to pop off every now and again with the first unit so that Brunson/KAT could coast more through the regular season.

Uptown wrote:

Nalod wrote:The gap takes time to bridge.
Not only does he need to acclimate, but so does the others to him. He has had a nice career and just cuz he was at Nova does not mean they all just gel right away. They are tentative still. Josh is thinking rather than reacting at times. Brunson has KAT, something he has not had in his career like ever. OG has his bag and his game is well rounded.

Its ok to miss Randle and I was a big fan of his. But remember the ball stoppage? I understand we all wanted a continued stretch of January of last year with OG but that was a window that got shut. No blame here on Randle for wanting fair value and knicks had a plan that did not jive with his. The signs were there with Mikal. Shit happens, and iHart moved on for good reasons. Maybe we bring that team back and succeed? We'll never know until someone talks about it who is actually in the room. We are not.

KAT now vs 50 games from now might look a bit different.

I disagreeiwth Mikal being 2nd option. that should be KAT. With starting unit he and OG make the cuts or punish the defense if they double. They are more than capable. Mikal will play with the 2nd unit and should be 1st option if the Kat and Brunson are sitting.

Cam Payne on second unit? Jury is still out. Last night there were looks I did not like of his. there is a reason he was a free agent and on a one year 3mm deal. Kolek in garbage time last night was up against Indy's bench who is very talented/deep and out for blood to be respectable. Thus the garbage time last night was not a good one four knicks.

Outside of last night, if the plan is to integrate them over the this and into next season I get it. If sooner, and needed, even better. Im not calling them out as ready or not. Lets not forget you take a rookie and play him with our starting unit they will look good. With just other rooks not so. This is not just knicks, its other teams. Miami has a good process and its why they succeeded with Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin and now Jaquez. Thibs started sims when Mitch went out and kept iHart with second unit, but he got starter minutes and finished the game often.
Maybe Thibs does this again with Kolek if Brunson is injured. Teams will dare him to beat them. he responds and its his spots, they will have to respect it and the offense will be fine. if not, Payne gets the minutes.

Mikal need not be a star on this team but the real key is Josh Hart getting good looks and has to hit from the outside. If teams have to respect it this team will hard to stop!

Two games is hardly a test. 50 games and the trend thru 40-50 might tell the story at or near the trade deadline.

I didn't say 2nd option, I said secondary perimeter option. What I mean by secondary perrmieter option is, we need another Knick besides Brunson that can initiate his own offense when the play breaks down. Mikal has the tools and ability to break down his man or come off a screen and get two feet in the paint for a mid-range jumper or draw defenders and kick to an open teammate for a 3. Kat will be the second option overall, and at times, I would love for him to be the first option where we feed him early in the post or high post and run some offensive sets throught him. Optiotns like dribble hand-off or back door cuts which will give Kat options to look for his own offense or utilize his passing ability. Once he gets going in the post, he may draw double teams which will also open things up for everyone else.

Got it! Thanks for clarifying.

Uptown wrote:No hitch in his release....Shot looks pure...Whatever issues he may have had with his form in the pre-season looks like a non issue now....

I hate losing DDV. Let’s be clear. But Bridges is better. It will show. We are 4/5 of my perfect lineup. That’s not to say Hart isn’t an amazing Glue guy. He’s a brilliant Swiss Army knife of a 6 guy.

This team is 1 player away from my best lineup up of all time. No exaggeration. And with most being 26-28, it can be this way for a while.

Uptown wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Uptown wrote:No hitch in his release....Shot looks pure...Whatever issues he may have had with his form in the pre-season looks like a non issue now....

I hate losing DDV. Let’s be clear. But Bridges is better. It will show. We are 4/5 of my perfect lineup. That’s not to say Hart isn’t an amazing Glue guy. He’s a brilliant Swiss Army knife of a 6 guy.

This team is 1 player away from my best lineup up of all time. No exaggeration. And with most being 26-28, it can be this way for a while.

It would be nice to have both, but you are right, Bridges is a better overall player than Donte....Bridges can score from all 3 levels and is a better defender.

Agreed that we are one player away from truly competing for a 'chip. The ages of our core players gives us an extended window to compete at a high level. We have time, so if we don't make an appearance in the finals this year, its not the end of the world. This ain't the 2013 Knicks. Of course the goal is to win a 'chip as it is every year, but realistically, the FO will be watching closely and evaluating the roster throughout the year to see what is needed to add to the core players to get us to the next level.

Robinson and Duece (don't want to lose Duece) are probably the most attractive peices on our roster for a trade because of their production and especially their contracts. Robinson is the best offensive rebounder in the league and an elite rim protector but he is rarely available. He will definitely be the main peice in a trade to bolster this roster. I think Duece may be in a similar position as Donte in that the FO doesn't want to trade him, but if its for a player that they think can get us over the top, they may reluctantly pull the trigger....

I like Josh off the bench too.

What type of player do you think is missing? Like a 3-point shooting Precious?

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Uptown wrote:No hitch in his release....Shot looks pure...Whatever issues he may have had with his form in the pre-season looks like a non issue now....

I hate losing DDV. Let’s be clear. But Bridges is better. It will show. We are 4/5 of my perfect lineup. That’s not to say Hart isn’t an amazing Glue guy. He’s a brilliant Swiss Army knife of a 6 guy.

This team is 1 player away from my best lineup up of all time. No exaggeration. And with most being 26-28, it can be this way for a while.

It would be nice to have both, but you are right, Bridges is a better overall player than Donte....Bridges can score from all 3 levels and is a better defender.

Agreed that we are one player away from truly competing for a 'chip. The ages of our core players gives us an extended window to compete at a high level. We have time, so if we don't make an appearance in the finals this year, its not the end of the world. This ain't the 2013 Knicks. Of course the goal is to win a 'chip as it is every year, but realistically, the FO will be watching closely and evaluating the roster throughout the year to see what is needed to add to the core players to get us to the next level.

Robinson and Duece (don't want to lose Duece) are probably the most attractive peices on our roster for a trade because of their production and especially their contracts. Robinson is the best offensive rebounder in the league and an elite rim protector but he is rarely available. He will definitely be the main peice in a trade to bolster this roster. I think Duece may be in a similar position as Donte in that the FO doesn't want to trade him, but if its for a player that they think can get us over the top, they may reluctantly pull the trigger....

I like Josh off the bench too.

What type of player do you think is missing? Like a 3-point shooting Precious?

I don’t see Deuce getting traded because the team can no longer afford to consolidate players for another big piece. The new CBA doesn’t allow it. McBrides contract slot will never be replaced by a better player at the same cost. So I think he stays. Mitch I can see being moved in a 1 for 2 trade. Again it’s all about the contracts. What team offers 2 players who fit into his contract slot? Something like Nick Richards and Cody Martin for example. Or Achiuwa gets moved for 2 minimum level vets who can contribute. I think we just need to ride it out and be opportunistic about filling out the rotation. We could really use a shooter. Maybe it’s Dadiet at some point. But I think the top 6 have to be here to stay. McBride can’t be moved as there’s just no way to replace his production at any position at his cost. Also he might be the best shooter on the team now.

RJ/IQ were consolidated. Randle/DDV were consolidated. We have evidence that this FO will consolidate if they think it is a worthwhile move. They have been hard pressed to trade Mitch and he is still be actively shopped.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Uptown wrote:No hitch in his release....Shot looks pure...Whatever issues he may have had with his form in the pre-season looks like a non issue now....

I hate losing DDV. Let’s be clear. But Bridges is better. It will show. We are 4/5 of my perfect lineup. That’s not to say Hart isn’t an amazing Glue guy. He’s a brilliant Swiss Army knife of a 6 guy.

This team is 1 player away from my best lineup up of all time. No exaggeration. And with most being 26-28, it can be this way for a while.

It would be nice to have both, but you are right, Bridges is a better overall player than Donte....Bridges can score from all 3 levels and is a better defender.

Agreed that we are one player away from truly competing for a 'chip. The ages of our core players gives us an extended window to compete at a high level. We have time, so if we don't make an appearance in the finals this year, its not the end of the world. This ain't the 2013 Knicks. Of course the goal is to win a 'chip as it is every year, but realistically, the FO will be watching closely and evaluating the roster throughout the year to see what is needed to add to the core players to get us to the next level.

Robinson and Duece (don't want to lose Duece) are probably the most attractive peices on our roster for a trade because of their production and especially their contracts. Robinson is the best offensive rebounder in the league and an elite rim protector but he is rarely available. He will definitely be the main peice in a trade to bolster this roster. I think Duece may be in a similar position as Donte in that the FO doesn't want to trade him, but if its for a player that they think can get us over the top, they may reluctantly pull the trigger....

I like Josh off the bench too.

What type of player do you think is missing? Like a 3-point shooting Precious?

I don’t see Deuce getting traded because the team can no longer afford to consolidate players for another big piece. The new CBA doesn’t allow it. McBrides contract slot will never be replaced by a better player at the same cost. So I think he stays. Mitch I can see being moved in a 1 for 2 trade. Again it’s all about the contracts. What team offers 2 players who fit into his contract slot? Something like Nick Richards and Cody Martin for example. Or Achiuwa gets moved for 2 minimum level vets who can contribute. I think we just need to ride it out and be opportunistic about filling out the rotation. We could really use a shooter. Maybe it’s Dadiet at some point. But I think the top 6 have to be here to stay. McBride can’t be moved as there’s just no way to replace his production at any position at his cost. Also he might be the best shooter on the team now.

RJ/IQ were consolidated. Randle/DDV were consolidated. We have evidence that this FO will consolidate if they think it is a worthwhile move. They have been hard pressed to trade Mitch and he is still be actively shopped.

Yes all of these players were consolidated for the big fish, but the Knicks now can no longer consolidate because they need to fill salary slots. McBride makes nothing to be a really good 6th man. You can’t replace that. Knicks are up against the second apron and will be for the foreseeable future. Anything is possible, but trading McBride as part of a bigger trade makes no sense because you have no money left to replace that player. From now on every move is made with attention to the second apron.

Alpha1971 wrote:This is our team going forward that's why they traded the bulk of their first rounders, the second apron. Looking at internal growth from Killa Kola, Huk and Pacman. Plus vet mins and heck we are due, Matt Ryan next John Starks, out of nowhere to Knicks legend. And McCullers blowing up in a few years to be like Grimes should have.

Huh, Killa Kolek?

martin wrote:

Uptown wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

Uptown wrote:No hitch in his release....Shot looks pure...Whatever issues he may have had with his form in the pre-season looks like a non issue now....

I hate losing DDV. Let’s be clear. But Bridges is better. It will show. We are 4/5 of my perfect lineup. That’s not to say Hart isn’t an amazing Glue guy. He’s a brilliant Swiss Army knife of a 6 guy.

This team is 1 player away from my best lineup up of all time. No exaggeration. And with most being 26-28, it can be this way for a while.

It would be nice to have both, but you are right, Bridges is a better overall player than Donte....Bridges can score from all 3 levels and is a better defender.

Agreed that we are one player away from truly competing for a 'chip. The ages of our core players gives us an extended window to compete at a high level. We have time, so if we don't make an appearance in the finals this year, its not the end of the world. This ain't the 2013 Knicks. Of course the goal is to win a 'chip as it is every year, but realistically, the FO will be watching closely and evaluating the roster throughout the year to see what is needed to add to the core players to get us to the next level.

Robinson and Duece (don't want to lose Duece) are probably the most attractive peices on our roster for a trade because of their production and especially their contracts. Robinson is the best offensive rebounder in the league and an elite rim protector but he is rarely available. He will definitely be the main peice in a trade to bolster this roster. I think Duece may be in a similar position as Donte in that the FO doesn't want to trade him, but if its for a player that they think can get us over the top, they may reluctantly pull the trigger....

I like Josh off the bench too.

What type of player do you think is missing? Like a 3-point shooting Precious?

I think we need two pieces. We need another playmaker, preferably from the wing position. We don't have many, if any, outside of Kolek, elite passers that can get easy buckets for their teammates. I know those players are not easy to come by, but a 6'7/6'8 versatile wing would be ideal. The other piece we will need, especially since it looks like Mitch will be traded, is a rim protector. We could use a player that will/can change shots and is athletic enough to play alongside Kat for a handful of possessions depending on matchups.