He might play next to Precious some and that’s about it.

Swishfm3 wrote:I was one who wanted to see KAT eventually move to the 4 position but after watching the recent Knicks/Heat game, he looked so long and quicker than Adebayo that I’ve changed my mind.

I still think Knicks need to find an upgrade at PF and move OG to his more natural position

Trade FOR Randle!!!

martin wrote:

Swishfm3 wrote:I was one who wanted to see KAT eventually move to the 4 position but after watching the recent Knicks/Heat game, he looked so long and quicker than Adebayo that I’ve changed my mind.

I still think Knicks need to find an upgrade at PF and move OG to his more natural position

Trade FOR Randle!!!

I approve this message

Clean wrote:Playing mitch at the 5 and KAT at the 4 will just clog the paint again. We don't throw many lobs so we won't punish the big for doubling off Mitch. It just makes no sense to me. The whole point of trading for KAT is to open up the paint. At least Hart can hit the occasional 3 or cut if they double off him.

KAT at center has more room and floor space to utilize his bag. He’s a multi-skilled big man. Putting him at the 4 makes him 1 dimensional and clogs driving lanes for everybody. But Thibs will utilize that flexibility during games in key moments. On a temporary basis.

Think it’s more a question of depth right now.
As well as consistent aggression from OG.
Once Mitch comes back, he will solidify the backup center position.
Getting Shamet back will help as well as having Payne back.
If not, I am sure we will add to depth at trade deadline.

Long season but things look promising.
Name of the game is to have things rolling come playoffs.

IHart was not as good a floor spacer but had excellent chemistry with Brunson, moved quicker, set better picks and we had more ball movement/cutting from the Nova guys

So either KAT improves with rim protection or we add Mitch at the 5 and give up the 5 and out spacing we traded for... or

We wait until Precious heals and put him at the 4 so we get more toughness, defensive tenacity and slightly better outside shooting (vs Hart).

We move Hart to the bench as our team tries to find it's chemistry and figure out how we can play differently (vs last year).

We move OG to the 3 so he has the physical advantages, Bridges to the 2 (same gain) and we will now be larger/longer vs now when we have 1 giant center (who is not great defensively) playing alongside OG at the 4, Bridges at the 3, Hart (can't shoot) and Brunson.

While I applaud Thibs efforts to run a more progressive offense - Brunson's play style is still iso-oriented and we really excelled playing with a defensive-minded center last year in playoffs. We should keep working on this but may realize that simply replacing Randle with KAT at the 4 (and playing Mitch when healthy) gives us better balance so we don't lose as much of our defensive identity. Right now we look like we are trying to copy the Celtics but are not as good offensively, and far worse defensively. I think we should focus on keeping last year's identity/system in place - with slightly improved outside shooting and size.

jskinny35 wrote:KAT at the 5 gives us the best floor spacing but less rim protection... we knew this before the trade - not new information

IHart was not as good a floor spacer but had excellent chemistry with Brunson, moved quicker, set better picks and we had more ball movement/cutting from the Nova guys

So either KAT improves with rim protection or we add Mitch at the 5 and give up the 5 and out spacing we traded for... or

We wait until Precious heals and put him at the 4 so we get more toughness, defensive tenacity and slightly better outside shooting (vs Hart).

We move Hart to the bench as our team tries to find it's chemistry and figure out how we can play differently (vs last year).

We move OG to the 3 so he has the physical advantages, Bridges to the 2 (same gain) and we will now be larger/longer vs now when we have 1 giant center (who is not great defensively) playing alongside OG at the 4, Bridges at the 3, Hart (can't shoot) and Brunson.

While I applaud Thibs efforts to run a more progressive offense - Brunson's play style is still iso-oriented and we really excelled playing with a defensive-minded center last year in playoffs. We should keep working on this but may realize that simply replacing Randle with KAT at the 4 (and playing Mitch when healthy) gives us better balance so we don't lose as much of our defensive identity. Right now we look like we are trying to copy the Celtics but are not as good offensively, and far worse defensively. I think we should focus on keeping last year's identity/system in place - with slightly improved outside shooting and size.

JJJ would be the perfect PF next to him, but don’t think we have the assets.

On offense he’s been better than advertised, a truly elite weapon. But we need to mix it up and get some rim protection in the game around him.

KAT isn’t a PF or Center. He’s a 4.5

He doesn’t have a position. Just build around that. Precious is the best type of center to play with Kat cause he can shoot and score. With Mitch they lesve him open or let him clog the paint.