"Frank Ntilikina spent Friday night on his own, resting his sore right knee. But the Knicks rookie guard didnt treat it like a night off, a chance to go out on the town in his new city.
Ntilikina not only sat on his couch and watched the Knicks face the Wizards in Washington, but also he picked up a few things. He noticed the Knicks had added a few plays he was unfamiliar with, and later asked the coaching staff about them.
Not many guys will notice that, coach Jeff Hornacek said.
It was just the latest example of how much the 6-foot-5 rookie from France is impressing his new team, even when hes not on the court.
The hope is Ntilikina, the eighth pick in Junes draft, will return to practice in the next few days and get on the court for the preseason finale Friday against the Wizards at the Garden."
In truth I'm not all that impressed he didn't use it as a chance go to out on the town. He can't even legally drink and he SHOULD be watching games but good to see he's seeing things without having to be force fed.
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2. Willy not playing last game has 0.0% impact on the Rockets hitting 42% from 3, he played the previous game vs. the Nets where they put in an embarrassing defensive effort. He's played in 3 of the 4 preseason games they allowed 115, 104 and 117. KP has played in 2 games 115 and 117 allowed. I don't think it's very fair to point to KP and Willy "not playing" as a defense for the defense. If anything Willy is a net negative defensively anyway.
No better so they decide Rambis will no longer fill this role and it will be more of a "group" thing. So we get to pre-season and see them allow the Nets to shoot 14/22 in the first quarter and allow the Rockets to nail 22 3's (many of which 100% wide open). It's more than fair to nail the Knicks on defense and what their defensive effort is.
To what point though? Who cares what their defense looks like this year? If we go 12-70, end up with our choice of studs in this years draft class and RC Buford as our new HC - will this year be a success or a failure?
I just dont see what the point of getting upset over defense on a tanking team, especially in the preseason.
2)Most of these horrific defenders will be gone in a year or two.
Greg,
That's more than fine but you can still point out poor effort when you see it. Hornacek is lost. I'd be "stunned" if he's back next year. He went 101-112 in Phoenix and THAT is what people point to as proof he's a good coach? He won 48 games his first year, props for that but plenty of crappy NBA HC's have had a surprisingly good season before. Mike Woodson had 2 50 win seasons, does anybody want him back next year? Bernie Bickerstaff won 47 one season in Seattle, I sure as hell don't want him as our HC.
For your own health, for everyone it would be wise to not get so caught up in this teams performance. They are going to be dreadful. Specifically on the defensive end. I'm not sure getting crazy about it is worth it. But if you want to spend the next 6 months freaking out, have at it...
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Jeff Hornacek was having trouble coaching defense in Phoenix so he brought in Longabardi as a "defensive coordinator" of sorts. Phil hires him, they try for Longabardi knowing Hornacek's "issues" with defense. They can't get him, decide to go without such a coach... defense and defensive effort are embarrassing and they decide Rambis will now fill this role.
No better so they decide Rambis will no longer fill this role and it will be more of a "group" thing. So we get to pre-season and see them allow the Nets to shoot 14/22 in the first quarter and allow the Rockets to nail 22 3's (many of which 100% wide open). It's more than fair to nail the Knicks on defense and what their defensive effort is.
To what point though? Who cares what their defense looks like this year? If we go 12-70, end up with our choice of studs in this years draft class and RC Buford as our new HC - will this year be a success or a failure?
I just dont see what the point of getting upset over defense on a tanking team, especially in the preseason.
It's valid to point out where a roster isn't even putting in effort for the HC. RC Buford? No I wouldn't particularly want him as Knicks HC. I don't think he's coached at any level in over 20 years. That would be a bizarre hire as coach.
For your own health, for everyone it would be wise to not get so caught up in this teams performance. They are going to be dreadful. Specifically on the defensive end. I'm not sure getting crazy about it is worth it. But if you want to spend the next 6 months freaking out, have at it...
Not flipping out at all. Popper said the effort wasn't there. djm makes it sound like it's just because it's pre-season I find that to be absurd. They can lose every single game, I don't care.
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Mindaugas Kuzminskas says he will likely return on Friday. He's missed the preseason with a calf injury.
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Ian Begley @IanBegley 17m17 minutes ago
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Kristaps Porzingis says he hopes to play Friday but his status is still unclear. His hip feels better.
I don't know if I agree that you "dont care", since you've posted a ton about the Knicks defensive efforts but to each their own. I actually truly dont care so if you want to let your blood pressure rise over Knicks losing by 20, have at it! In the meantime, I'm all in for #loseinthefirstquarterforporter
Would love Jack to stay on as a development coach if he doesn't get a look elsewhere.
Coaches on hot seat - ( New Window )
No brainer. #1 realistic HC on my wish list. Really doubt it happens. He likely wants more say than he would have here.
Honestly? Non-descript but he's long and looks the part of a potential good defender. He hasn't particularly "stood out" in pre-season defensively but I think that would be kind of hard to do anyway.
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during Knicks season. Dans already flipping out about the defense, almost obsessively so, and it's not going to get any better. Season hasn't even started yet and people are losing their minds.
For your own health, for everyone it would be wise to not get so caught up in this teams performance. They are going to be dreadful. Specifically on the defensive end. I'm not sure getting crazy about it is worth it. But if you want to spend the next 6 months freaking out, have at it...
Not flipping out at all. Popper said the effort wasn't there. djm makes it sound like it's just because it's pre-season I find that to be absurd. They can lose every single game, I don't care.
my point wasn't that it was only preseason, that's part of it, but it's just an overstated, premature, and somewhat obvious article that doesn't deserve the credit you gave it. Wow the Knicks D sucks...no shit. OK the Knicks traded Melo for defensively challenged players. That doesn't mean the Knicks franchise isn't committed to D over the long haul. It's not like the Knicks had ample chances to sign a 28 year old Dennis Rodman and Patrick Ewing in the offseason to shore up that bad D.
Whatever, yes the KNicks D sucks and will suck. We know that. The article isn't worth shit.
And no layups in preseason isn't really something that happens anymore.
And no layups in preseason isn't really something that happens anymore.
Again, the Rockets EMBARRASSED the Knicks. Forget layups WIDE open 3's. The Nets 14-22 in the first quarter. THE NETS!!
That would be a fantastic hire which is why it won't happen.
And if they are going full rebuild- don't go half measures. Move Lee, Kanter and KOQ the first chance you get. Play KP/ Frank/ Dotson/ Willy as much as possible. Take some fliers on young wings and see if you find a diamond in the rough.
And if they are going full rebuild- don't go half measures. Move Lee, Kanter and KOQ the first chance you get. Play KP/ Frank/ Dotson/ Willy as much as possible. Take some fliers on young wings and see if you find a diamond in the rough.
Well this is the entire basis for my supposed "rant". This shouldn't just be a total throw away of a season developmentally. THjr shouldn't get a pass for defensive effort because "we suck", KP, Willy, Frank etc either. The idea is to use this year to help push forward not "okay but NEXT year we will show them how to put in proper defensive effort"!
"for an opportunity"... Perry's new mantra
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Hornacek wants Knicks to play faster. So far they're 21st in pace this preseason. Faster than Utah, but slower than Maccabi Haifa.
Later in the interview, he tried to be more optimistic.
I hope to play the last game and be ready for the season, Porzingis said. Im like a lizard. I recover quickly.
Europeans can't play fast? KP can't play fast? Holy crap...
What's the league average fast at each position?