Jonathan Macri
@JCMacriNBA
·
Mar 18
Mario's outstanding game vs LA isn't as much of an outlier as you'd think.
Of the 10 Knicks to play over 800 minutes this season, Hezonja has the 3rd best net rating (-6.4, behind only Dot's -6.2 & Mitch's -5.1. NY's is 8.0 overall). There's a winning player in there somewhere.
wish we could fast forward to July. There's a LOT that can go wrong between now and free agency.
Feels like a guy who 3 years of college would turn a "meh" into the high pick he ended up being. I do think there is enough there that if Fizdale is what he portrays himself to be... the kind of guy he develops into something.
“I don’t give a s–t that I’m a free agent,’’ Hezonja told The Post. “I’m trying to help these guys as well. I don’t give a s–t about myself. I’ll be fine. Trust me. I’ll be fine. With my basketball skill, talent and abilities, I’ll always be fine. I just want to help these guys with stuff I’ve been through in my career in both Europe and here.
“I know it’s a very sensitive situation here with a lot of free agents and a lot of young guys I’m trying to help. If I see something in practice, I try to correct them. We have to continue to show togetherness and finish on a good note. A lot of teams don’t achieve playoffs they just give up.’’
If you need to get Kyrie / Davis to get Durant you have to do it.
But Peyton looks like a great guy to pair with shooters and D up #1 guards.
You could put him on the floor with Morant have a second passer / handler on the court that doesn't need to shoot and help Mortant save his legs on D.
Strategically and assuming you get Durant I think i'd prefer him Peyton + Jordan + One more vet part. To Durant / Kyrie.
If you are going with the youngsters I think Kyrie's defensive shortcomings and weird personality don't outweigh the problem of too many shots needing to go around. Another shooter is kind of superflous if you are going to have Durant / Zion, Durant / Morant or Durant / Barrett. Plus we have no shortage of bench scoring if you are going to make the argument that those players have to sit in Knox + Trier that's plenty of shots for the 2nd unit as well.
If we get the 4/5 pick I think the case is much stronger for Kyrie IMO.
Wouldn't worry about it much. I'm sure come 7/1 the Knicks will either "know" he's coming or not. His mind is likely already made up. What sales pitch can you possibly give? Max money and the ability to help form the roster via his "friends" around the league.
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Whether KD comes or not i hope it is not dragged out...
Wouldn't worry about it much. I'm sure come 7/1 the Knicks will either "know" he's coming or not. His mind is likely already made up. What sales pitch can you possibly give? Max money and the ability to help form the roster via his "friends" around the league.
oh i am sure he already knows what he is doing, i just do not want the announcement dragged out. i am sure knicks will know right away, inwouldnt even be surprised if they know now...
Agreed. He SHOULD be a solid player. I don't know why he can't put it together.
Size to play multiple positions, good outside shot, can pass, can drive and finish, athleticism...It is all there
Durant seems to be puppeteering this just as much as the Knicks. I wouldn't be surprised if he talked to Jordan already about playing for the exception.
Also, I think some of this 3 star thing might be more media speculation than any kind of insight into what "GM Durant" might want.
I think he could just as easily want a well rounded roster where he is the unquestioned leader (I think someone like Zion would be great for this, Durant gets the credit for winning but has an incredibly talented 2nd guy)
If we are talking about his brand in isolation. Being the unquestioned star of a championship team in New York is probably better than having a "Big 3." Frankly Barrett or Morant might be even better for this as they could help him win and don't have the "star power" of Zion
i have been saying this since they did not buy him out...
No way hr is this engaged if he was only making a cameo...
He could of gotten bought out and ended up on a contender
That's an excellent point - if he leaves a stacked team in Golden State just to form another stacked team in New York, he'll receive a lot of the same criticism. He has to weigh that against his ability to win a title in New York, assuming the ultimate goal for his brand and legacy is to be a New York legend - he couldn't climb the mountain with Westbrook and a pretty good supporting cast in OKC, though he'll probably tell you it was because Russ wouldn't give up the ball enough.
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Yesterday, Simmons made it all but a lock KD is coming here.
wish we could fast forward to July. There's a LOT that can go wrong between now and free agency.
It would be fun to make up a David letterman top ten list of things that could go wrong from now until July...
He also predicted the 2018-2019 Celtics were going to win 67 games.
Mario is just another Euro who was overly hyped. He is not really good at any one skill but is decent slashing and shooting midrange.
They should not eat into their cap one penny to sign Mario.
He also predicted the 2018-2019 Celtics were going to win 67 games.
He was also one of the first guys to be talking up Lebron to the Lakers before the 2017/18 season, and has done like 6 podcasts with Durant/Kleimann.
Goes along with sam amick saying durants people are basically telling everyone it is the knicks...
Still will believe when it is announced
zero chance he goes to brooklyn to team with russell
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out Brooklyn.
zero chance he goes to brooklyn to team with russell
stellar analysis.
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In comment 14348092 Enzo said:
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out Brooklyn.
zero chance he goes to brooklyn to team with russell
stellar analysis.
He is not going anywhere by himself, anywhere he goes he is going to want to bring a costar..
Brooklyn is not a viable option for that
The NBA has a serious problem that is only getting worse. Leonard last year, Davis this year and top players routinely skipping games.
Sac announcer said "...playing like MJ in his prime"
Lou Will is amazing. The worse the shot the more likely he hits nothing but net. And don't foul him on a 3
Lakers did get a 1st round pick which turned into kuzma and cleared mozgov, it was a very good deal for the lakers...
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but the Lakers and the way LBJ went there I don't know just seemed like the both deserved to lose. Seeing Russel playing like this when he was let go in a clear effort to get someone like LBJ, it's really great to see lol
Lakers did get a 1st round pick which turned into kuzma and cleared mozgov, it was a very good deal for the lakers...
No it wasnt. Kuzma is average at best. He is th eguy who has a big game every 6 games and everyone is wowed by it. Not a great rebounder. Cant pass. Doesnt shoot well from 3. Doesnt get to foul line and is a poor defender.
He is nothing more than a volume scorer.
Im not saying building through the draft is dumb, but the lakers are just another team who has had a bunch of high picks and they are in bad shape. People love to point out PHI but they dont point out MINN (who we were told for years were in great shape), LAL, SAC (until recently), ORL, PHX, etc.. all teams with a bunch of high picks and still stink. NBA is hard, you need to get so lucky with the pick. You need to not get screwed by the lottery and then make sure you pick Giannis and not the cast of crap that went ahead of him.
Im not saying building through the draft is dumb, but the lakers are just another team who has had a bunch of high picks and they are in bad shape. People love to point out PHI but they dont point out MINN (who we were told for years were in great shape), LAL, SAC (until recently), ORL, PHX, etc.. all teams with a bunch of high picks and still stink. NBA is hard, you need to get so lucky with the pick. You need to not get screwed by the lottery and then make sure you pick Giannis and not the cast of crap that went ahead of him.
Well said. And the Sixers has 5 top 4 picks and went 2 for 5 on them. Part of hinkies plan was to have multiple shots at the top of the draft, but it just shows you how difficult it is.
The Lakers currently constructed are a very poorly run franchise. Their President/ GM/ Head Coach are all first timers and have no idea what they are doing. And regardless of who her dad is, Jeannie Buss is a new owner.
The media just gives them a pass because Buss is friendly with them and everyone loves Magic. It’s a pretty interesting to compare this regime to the Phil Jackson one...
Warriors got extremely lucky curry and thompson signed non max deals and then hit on draymond...
doesnt trent tucker play the 4 for the rockets?
Draymond green is 6 foot 7 and plays some center..
This is also the same guy who said anthony davis can not play in todays nba
Also says durant is picking the nets
Also says durant is picking the nets
Is this new info he stated or is this the same crap he's been spouting for a month now?
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Claims the Nets are taking over new york city and the knicks will be the second team...
Also says durant is picking the nets
Is this new info he stated or is this the same crap he's been spouting for a month now?
same crap just repeating after every nets win...
Hezonja was 3 for 3 and then didnt touch the ball because mudiay went to get his, he has zero feel for the game
Can't say I've ever seen that before.
I'm not holding my breath for more than #5, but at least it can't go further down. Just hoping for top 3 at least