8 PM start on a Sunday...uh, okay. Toronto has been pure trash this last month or so & no FVV or Anunoby tonight for the Tampa Raptors. Lowry is back after missing some time with a toe infection.
Let's keep the mojo going from Friday night's ballsy win! I'm guessing the starters will be Payton, Bullock, RJ, Julius, & Noel. LFG!
Also, I was flipping back & forth earlier between the Masters & Cs-Nuggets. Boston went on a 31-3 run (yes, you read that right) to beat Denver by double digits. The Nuggets bench was pure trash to end the 3rd/start the 4th & the starters weren't much better when Malone sent them back in. We're 1 1/2 back of Boston for the 7th seed.
That's a shame...
I just don't get it. At all. But Thibs can be a stubborn MFer. Rose is just much, much better.
Haha. I'm nothing if not predictable.
I ain't a young pup anymore & it's a Sunday. It'd be different if a Friday or Saturday. I just don't like these absurd late starts.
He coukd be the best defensive player of all time and it still wouldnt justify him starting..
Perhaps, and that isn’t really my point. All I’m saying is that Tibbs obviously values his defense in that spot. And really the bottom line is minutes played and Tibbs has shown that often on nights where Payton is not on offensively he sits much more even if he started. The starters aren’t really as important as total minutes and especially those late in the games.
When the game is in high leverage situations during the 2nd half, you've most likely got a relatively fresh Rose to help bring it home. You're not relying on Payton to play in big time spots with the game on the line. I get Thibs thinking here.
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Steve, I'd argue Elfrid's defense is overrated.
Perhaps, and that isn’t really my point. All I’m saying is that Tibbs obviously values his defense in that spot. And really the bottom line is minutes played and Tibbs has shown that often on nights where Payton is not on offensively he sits much more even if he started. The starters aren’t really as important as total minutes and especially those late in the games.
When your down every game and the bench has to come in to make a come back, then who starts does matter..
The bench scored 72 points last gamr and they barely won
Severly overrated, especially at the end of a game where the team was doubling every possession and it was working, you tell the double team not to come and kyrie drills a 3 in your face
And that’s why it doesn’t really bother me. Tibbs is a real good coach plus he has an entire staff of assistance who work with the players advising him. So if this is what he feels puts them in the best position to win I assume he has the best handle on it, and has them playing well. It’s not like he is a complete idiot.
I guess I don’t see the point of coming complaining about it every single game.
Nice start.
Nice start.
Haha, yeah we are fans after all
I completely understand getting off to a slow start but when that happens there are many others to blame. It isn't just Payton.
What matters most is who is playing late and that isn't Payton. This team is at its best when Burks is playing the point and that includes Rose imo. Burks is far from an ideal player at the point but he does enough scoring, breaking down the D, and passing to make this offense work.
I'd much rather sign the younger Lonzo Ball
I completely understand getting off to a slow start but when that happens there are many others to blame. It isn't just Payton.
What matters most is who is playing late and that isn't Payton. This team is at its best when Burks is playing the point and that includes Rose imo. Burks is far from an ideal player at the point but he does enough scoring, breaking down the D, and passing to make this offense work.
+1
Burks is good off the bench too.
That would have been insane if he was able to throw that down.
That would have been insane if he was able to throw that down.
Lowry was smart to foul, it would have pumped up the team even more.
The foul wasnt on Obis dunk, it was on Gibson going for the rebound, so loose ball
The foul wasnt on Obis dunk, it was on Gibson going for the rebound, so loose ball
Oh. That's lame. I really wish he nailed it then. Obi's looking a lot better lately though.
As a rookie I told my daughter (who watches all the games with me) that he riminded me a little of Jordan. Not as a player or style of play, but his seriousness, determination, intensity, and desire to win. Its rare in such a young player and something that a team can build around imo
Noel does a lot of things well. If the price is right I hope they bring him back next season
They have had this problem all season. Frustrating but they are still learning how to become a winning team and that’s part of the process and something that still needs improvement. How many more win would they have if they could consistently put teams away?
That's why it's the hardest sport to watch. Consistently inconsistent
Listen, I agree. But when the opposing team scores a quick 5 points off of clear fouls (moving screens) what hell are you supposed to do? The worst officiating of any sport, by a really large margin. The NBA game today makes absolutely zero sense.
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I have no idea what NBA refs even call anymore. All calls are completely subjective in this sport.
That's why it's the hardest sport to watch. Consistently inconsistent
Yup, I don’t even get pissed anymore. It’s just a joke. I’ll watch it sporadically these days just because I love the Knicks, but the refs make themselves too much a part of the game. The refs subjective officiating is what decides the outcomes of games, not the teams.
And...Noel has the worst hands in the history of the NBA.
Too late, he already is.
Bullock is a hard nosed defender. Limited player but never cheats the fans by half adding it
Would you throw money at Ball and Trent?
Ball, Trent, Rj, Randle, Mitch, is not to bad
Would you throw money at Ball and Trent?
Ball, Trent, Rj, Randle, Mitch, is not to bad
I just hate going after RFAs so much. You have basically 0 power throughout the process and it usually doesn't end well.
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to match anything for Trent?
Would you throw money at Ball and Trent?
Ball, Trent, Rj, Randle, Mitch, is not to bad
I just hate going after RFAs so much. You have basically 0 power throughout the process and it usually doesn't end well.
yeah i do to, but the best free agents are restricted this year, not counting Kawhi
Ja seems to have stepped back which is strange, but Zion is taking a leap it seems like. Points the last 7 games: 38, 37, 16, 34, 28, 38, 39
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as the best among Zion, Ja and RJ. I think we're now seeing why RJ was so highly regarded. He's turning into a real pro with all the skills and killer instinct.
Ja seems to have stepped back which is strange, but Zion is taking a leap it seems like. Points the last 7 games: 38, 37, 16, 34, 28, 38, 39
No question on Zion's talent, I just think he's an injury risk. If he's not, no question he'll be beasting.
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as the best among Zion, Ja and RJ. I think we're now seeing why RJ was so highly regarded. He's turning into a real pro with all the skills and killer instinct.
Ja seems to have stepped back which is strange, but Zion is taking a leap it seems like. Points the last 7 games: 38, 37, 16, 34, 28, 38, 39
They are basically playing him at point, he has the ball in his hands basically every time down on offense
Seems like we could use an offensive big.
Would you throw money at Ball and Trent?
Ball, Trent, Rj, Randle, Mitch, is not to bad
Wouldn't mind those moves at all. That's a young core to build around with picks and we can move guys if a star wants in. Rather slightly overpay ascending under 25 yo talent than spend 2/50 on Lowry tbh.
Zion is in the 15-20 range most of the time. Sometimes even less. But his efficiency is off the charts. Almost 62% shooting percentage. Plus, he gets to the line a lot.
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RJ is getting 10-15. He needs a lot more to get to 30 points.
Zion is in the 15-20 range most of the time. Sometimes even less. But his efficiency is off the charts. Almost 62% shooting percentage. Plus, he gets to the line a lot.
Wow. You're right. His efficiency is crazy.
But RJ is already really really good. And he is constantly getting better. He's going to develop into an all star caliber player and he was absolutely the right pick. This is not a Knox or Frank situation where better players were taken later. He's the right guy and a cornerstone player.
I def think that RJ could end up the second best player in the draft. Ja is solid for sure, but i havent seen anything that makes me think he is a lock star that RJ could never reach. The improvements that RJ has made in one season (despite not getting a full season last year, weird offseason with covid, etc..) is amazing. We all said that if he could improve his shooting he had star (superstar?) potential. Well he has def improved it.
I've been really impressed with his vision and dishing these past few games as well as his shot selection.
As for Noel, he's been a great addition. I don't know how much I want to pay for him going forward, as he and Mitch have basically the same skillset, but if you can get both of them long term, while still bringing in a max player, then I would love to keep him.
Would you throw money at Ball and Trent?
Ball, Trent, Rj, Randle, Mitch, is not to bad
I like it a lot. Its always ricky with restricted free agents, but I would much rather "steal" a young player away on his 2nd contract then sign an older player.
But I would love to come away this summer with Ball and Trent Jr. It would be very surprising if the Knicks rolled the cap space over another year...
I agree with this 100 pct. There will probably be a time when RJ could be the focal point of the offense. But right now, Randle does a good job of shouldering that load and yes, that leaves RJ in a perfect spot where he's getting plenty of opportunities without the pressure of being "The guy" every time down the court.
Ball (23), Trent (22), RJ (20), Randle (26), Mitch (23). Like i think that team can be a top 4 seed in the east and they are still kids. Does Randle or RJ become the kind of guy that can lead them to a finals, who knows, but id take my chances with that lineup.
I know a lot of people were doom and gloom about that draft lottery, and I get it having missed out on Zion. But that new draft lottery system sucks and the Knicks actually beat the odds by staying in the top 3 that night and thankfully so.
I figured as much
Yeah. All comes down to health with Zion. Man he is good.
4 for 100 for both Lonzo and Trent and Toronto still might match
That's true, but I think they were intrigued by Garland and even brought him in for a workout shortly before the draft when they were locked into the three spot.
https://premiumhoops.org/2021/04/11/rj-barrett-is-controlling-the-driving-lanes-on-both-ends/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
More than his outside shot (which he has proven would be more of a luxury than a need) his durability (knees in particular) is the biggest concern.
Especially in a sport with so much jumping. 300 LBs of stress on the knees won't be good.
He always looks like he is in pain when he runs
This.
Guy's game thrives on speed and being above the rim. Only Shaq has had that body type and sustained it.
Yep he was having a real breakout year before the knee injury. Also Garland is much improved this year and as a pure pg I think we would have been fine with him at 4 as well.
Yes. Rookie Shaq looked like this
Rookie Shaq weighed about the same as Zion but at six inches taller.