Hawks: 100
Knicks: 96
Once again, I watch a Knicks game in hopes I see good ball movement, crisp passes, guys cutting, finding the open man. Our offense has no desire to find the advantage. Instead, Knicks and Fizdale seem content on leaning back onto the bad habit of ISO-ball bailing us out.
The defense was actually not that bad this game.
Couple Notes
David Fizdale: Worst starting lineup we could have possibly did tonight. Portis, Randle and Morris as our starting front court should never see another minute again this season. Still questionable X's and O's coach. Another night giving RJ another 40 minute game in preseason. Much like Knox last year, expect him to run RJ into the ground by January.
Frank Ntilikina: 1-4 2 Points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. You'd almost have to be a basketball purist to appreciate what he does defensively. He ate Trae Youngs lunch quite a few times, altering his shot with his length, forcing him to pass out of a few easy buckets he was hitting earlier, adding a couple nice blocks to his night. He is an average defender with the ability to show glimpses of above average defending. I think right now he's at his floor. Offensively, he's still a complete black hole if you're looking for points. He moves the ball nice and tries to set someone up with a shot. Unfortunately, he plays in an offense that doesn't suit his style. He's not ISO Frank. He should be the starting PG. IMO
Dennis Smith JR:First game back after sitting out previously with a lower back injury. First observation? He's rusty. Picked up two quick fouls in the opening minutest that sent him to the bench. Not a great shooting night for him either. 1-5 for 4 points.
Julius Randle: So far his best night as a Knick. Aside from two step back jumpers (Yes, two..wtf), he finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks. His defense is still not worth talking about.
RJ Barrett: 4-14, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block. It's going to be an up and down year in regards with his game to game efficiency. If Fizdale can tap into his inner-coaching and somehow teach RJ to reign it in a bit on nights he isn't feeling it, then he could be special this year. He's a plus playmaker, can bully his way into the paint, and actually finish. He did miss quite a few easy layups though. I'm chalking that up to youth. The flashes are there. You can see it. Even had a nice game defensively.
Kevin Knox: He looks like he's ready to be the first of our young guys to make the big jump this year. He looks much more fluid and confident. He moves the ball well, and stretches the floor. His shot looks good. He should be getting more minutes per game this season.
Last thoughts: This team is a 25-30 win team. They aren't well coached, or even coached it seems. I don't think Fizdale is the guy who can tap into and get the best out of every player. This team better find a way to keep it close, because we don't have the shooting to come back from double digits night in and night out. Speaking of keeping it close, I don't think we have one guy on our roster who I would trust to take the final shot.
DNP Coaches Decision for Payton, Dotson and Trier tonight.
Morris's 6.1% ranked him 412 out of 477 players who saw any time on the court last season.
No doubt the man has skills but I already do not enjoy watching him play.
both teams had 22 assists, knicks 22 assists on 32 made shots..
and i know we dont see it much anymore but post ups are not isos
Frank was awesome on D. Trae Young was cooking the folks on him before Frank came in and put him in his pocket. I like the Frank-RJ pairing with the ball in RJ's hands. Dennis Smith had some decent moments defensively but is a bad PnR defender. He's gonna need to become a really efficient scorer to be a net plus in most games.
With experience and some respect from the refs, RJ is gonna be tough getting to the rack and the line. Hopefully the shot starts to fall.
if he was knick everyone here would be calling him a chucker, their entire offense is him dribbling around screens and either shooting or passing it the open 3 point shooter..
Bully ball doesn't win enough in todays NBA. That's the problem.
if he was knick everyone here would be calling him a chucker, their entire offense is him dribbling around screens and either shooting or passing it the open 3 point shooter..
Did you watch the game? He notably put Ellington on skates for the buzzer beater 3 and got away from Smith on the PnR at will. 23 pts, 9 Ast. He was consistently beating the knicks on the PnR and either getting shots for himself or his teammates. He's a bad defensive player but our guards couldn't quite take advantage last night - that will be a long term issue for the Hawks tho.
And 16 is right- get ready for a ton of Randle and Morris postups this year.
This team is missing a good shooter and good penetrator. I think the offense will struggle because of that.
Last thing- Mitch played well last night. And I really hope he doesn’t take a backseat this year. No one wants to hear this but this team is going to be bad again this year and the focus should be on developing RJ, Mitch, Knox and Frank. I really don’t want him sacrificing minutes for vets.
Quote:
he was 7 for 19 with 21 points, how is that cooking?
if he was knick everyone here would be calling him a chucker, their entire offense is him dribbling around screens and either shooting or passing it the open 3 point shooter..
Did you watch the game? He notably put Ellington on skates for the buzzer beater 3 and got away from Smith on the PnR at will. 23 pts, 9 Ast. He was consistently beating the knicks on the PnR and either getting shots for himself or his teammates. He's a bad defensive player but our guards couldn't quite take advantage last night - that will be a long term issue for the Hawks tho.
he was 7 for 19..
and he better have 9 assists, the ball is in his hands the entire game, this is like westbrook racking up assists, he got his assists put of sheer volume..
And i like trae young but their offense is him dribbling around until the defense either collapses or he shoots
And 16 is right- get ready for a ton of Randle and Morris postups this year.
This team is missing a good shooter and good penetrator. I think the offense will struggle because of that.
Last thing- Mitch played well last night. And I really hope he doesn’t take a backseat this year. No one wants to hear this but this team is going to be bad again this year and the focus should be on developing RJ, Mitch, Knox and Frank. I really don’t want him sacrificing minutes for vets.
he cant stay on the floor, he seems to control his fouls when he comes off the bench..
Knox seems to improved greatly. Much stronger. Seems to have a better understanding of shot selection. Reminds me a lot of early Tobias Harris.
Randle is as advertised Somewhat of a throwback player, but still pretty good.
Same goes for Morris although he definitely has an inflated opinion of his abilities.
RJB will have some struggles, but that is one mature, competitive player.
Franks defense.
Ellington's shooting.
The bad:
DSJ just has no feel for the game. Its almost like he took all that athletic ability and chose the wrong path; like he should have been an NFL WR.
Franks offense.
Ellington - anothing but shooting.
who had more cohesion last night?
”Much like Knox last year, expect him to run RJ into the ground by January. ”
“Kevin Knox: ....He should be getting more minutes per game this season.”
your team is big, of course you are going to run post ups
There has been a lot of back and forth over the last couple of years about whether or not Frankie is a PG, and Barrett taking the creator role helps to make up for a lot of Frank’s deficiencies on offense, and allows him to focus on defense.
I’ve also really liked Barrett’s effort on D. He definitely still has deficiencies and a lot to learn on that end before he’s a “good” defender, but he shows a willingness and definitely has the potential to be above average on that side of the floor.
What Beal loses with this extension:
A chance to hit 2021 free agency, when his projected max starting salary would’ve been $38 million
A chance to trigger super-max eligibility by making an All-NBA team this season or next, which would’ve increased his max salary in 2021-22 to $44 million
The ability to get traded this season
What Beal gains with this extension:
A guaranteed $71,764,428
There has been a lot of back and forth over the last couple of years about whether or not Frankie is a PG, and Barrett taking the creator role helps to make up for a lot of Frank’s deficiencies on offense, and allows him to focus on defense.
I’ve also really liked Barrett’s effort on D. He definitely still has deficiencies and a lot to learn on that end before he’s a “good” defender, but he shows a willingness and definitely has the potential to be above average on that side of the floor.
This was my takeaway as well. RJB looks like a real player. Needs to get some muscle and they may have something. They need a few real shooters is my biggest negative. No one is a legit outside presence.
”Much like Knox last year, expect him to run RJ into the ground by January. ”
“Kevin Knox: ....He should be getting more minutes per game this season.”
Per game on average I should have meant. He only got 20 yesterday. Around 28-30 is what he should be getting this year.
Quote:
Is that RJ Barrett should be the primary ball handler. He looks really good as a facilitator, was looking to set up his teammates and seemed to play more under control when he was the one bringing the ball up the court.
There has been a lot of back and forth over the last couple of years about whether or not Frankie is a PG, and Barrett taking the creator role helps to make up for a lot of Frank’s deficiencies on offense, and allows him to focus on defense.
I’ve also really liked Barrett’s effort on D. He definitely still has deficiencies and a lot to learn on that end before he’s a “good” defender, but he shows a willingness and definitely has the potential to be above average on that side of the floor.
This was my takeaway as well. RJB looks like a real player. Needs to get some muscle and they may have something. They need a few real shooters is my biggest negative. No one is a legit outside presence.
Was also impressed with Barrett last night too. Would love to see Frank and Dot develop into those 3 and D shooters to spread the floor.
I would also be looking to trade Morris or one of the bigs for a wing shooter the first they are eligible to be traded.
Once one of those guys come off the court rj gets more touches and is able to create..
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
·
2h
Washington Wizards All-Star Bradley Beal has agreed to extend his deal for two years on a $72M maximum contract, agent Mark Bartelstein of
@PrioritySports
tells ESPN. Deal includes player option for 2022-23. Total value: 4-years, nearly $130M. Story:
Maybe reunite the Morris Twins?
for
Kennard + Frazier
the ball is going to be run through randle and morris, why not start ellington next to barrett?
Barrett can create more and you add a shooter to the starting lineup..
Bench: smith, frank, knox, portis, gibson..
If frank could show a consistent jumper it would be a no brainer to start him
Alan Hahn
@alanhahn
·
4m
And 0% of GMs think RJ Barrett will contend for Rookie of the Year, or be one of the best players from this draft class in five years.
None. I was just wondering if they would reunite the twins
Alan Hahn
@alanhahn
·
4m
And 0% of GMs think RJ Barrett will contend for Rookie of the Year, or be one of the best players from this draft class in five years.
Such horseshit. And weren't these experts saying that Barrett had better long-term potential than Zion?
Prove 'em wrong, RJ
Quote:
Alan Hahn
@alanhahn
·
4m
And 0% of GMs think RJ Barrett will contend for Rookie of the Year, or be one of the best players from this draft class in five years.
Such horseshit. And weren't these experts saying that Barrett had better long-term potential than Zion?
Prove 'em wrong, RJ
What are you new? once a player becomes a knick he sucks, once he leaves he is awesome..
The Knicks missed big by not getting the top 2 pick, fuck the NBA.
The Knicks missed big by not getting the top 2 pick, fuck the NBA.
Barrett looks unathletic?
DeAndre Hunter did indeed look very good, at least when ballhog Trae Young deigned to pass to him.
-high end competitiveness
-nothing seems too big for him
-size/strength
-seems to be doing well defensively
-"lefty-ness" (he's got a lot of Walter Berry like funky release points in the paint that drive defenders crazy)
Obviously the shooting improvement will be critical.
Well said. Sure there has been a lack of talent (starting guys like Calderon, Mudiay etc.) but the toxin in the Knicks system is that too many guys over the years play for "ME" and not for "WE". Marbury, Curry, Hardaway, Anthony etc. -- consumate loser players.
We want Jontay!