Winners of 12 of 13.
Best team in the NBA over the last month.
7 games left.
Big game tonight, win tonight and put a ton of pressure on Miami, Atlanta, and Boston to have to win out to hit the 4 seed
Rj can take it to the rim, Jokic is slow footed, he is good when he can get in front of you but Rj should be able to use his strength and finish at the rim..
Luca Vildoza, an Argentinian guard with Baskonia of the Spanish ACB League, has agreed in principle to a four-year, $13.6 million deal with the New York Knicks, his agent, Alex Saratsis of Octagon Sports, told ESPN.
Rj can take it to the rim, Jokic is slow footed, he is good when he can get in front of you but Rj should be able to use his strength and finish at the rim..
Same for Rose and Payton
Problem is, RJ is still hesitant to go HAM to the rim. He can dunk on Centers, but he is hesitating to much at this point to do so. Personally I would love to see that become a normal part of his game. So many times he is doing that "tease drive" waiting for something to dump to. Would loce to see him just take a path and try to finish.
That said, not expecting much. If Obi has any doggish traits in him, tonight is the night to bark.
that they may dip into this year's unused cap space to make their offer for him a little more attractive. He can't be any worse than Payton...can he?
Apparently he had a 2 million buyout so he wasnt coming here on a 10 day, wonder if the Knicks gave him any indication he will be on the team next year
The Knicks had the salary cap space and roster spot to get ahead of summer free agency and secure Vildoza now. Vildoza, 25, would’ve been one of the top available free agent point guards in the 2021 summer marketplace.
13 mins ago – via Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN
“I like him but I don’t love him in the sense that I like him for a good European team but not as much for NBA. He is another in a long line and proud tradition of tough Argentinian point guards who have done well in Europe. Think of a Pablo Prigioni with less savvy but a bit more scoring/shooting ability,” Filippi said.
“He is more of a slasher than a shooter but his 3-point shot has improved a lot since coming to Europe. He has a strong build and is a decent athlete for a Euro guard. Gritty, hard-nosed defender. Creative passer who is a good pick-&-roll player. I think he has just average natural talent but makes up for it with toughness and hard play. He has a knack for making big shots including an exciting game-winning buzzer-beater in last years’ Spanish League finals,” Filippi added.
Denver right now is essentially Jokic and Porter. They have been getting crushed by injuries. I think knicks have a strong shot at winning tonight. I mean the spread is only 3.5
I don't think Prigioni was ever a "big" player even in his prime. Career 9.6, 4.3, 2.5 in Europe. I think realistically we are looking at PG depth vs. a starter type. I'd love to be wrong.
I've learned not to put too much stock in average numbers in europe. His PPG scouldn't scare anyone. Let's just see him play.
Yes, but the scouting report I posted above (and near complete lack of mention of this guy prior to last week) sure seems to suggest he's a depth type.
"ason Filippi brings 19 years of NBA scouting experience to Babcock Hoops and serves as a director of international scouting with an emphasized focus on international prospects currently playing in Europe.
Prior to joining Babcock Hoops, Jason held positions as an international scout for the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat. He also served as the director of international scouting for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a member of the front office for teams that selected the following European players in previous NBA Drafts: Nicolas Batum, Primoz Brezec, Rudy Fernandez, Pau Gasol, Victor Khryapa, Nenad Krstic, Sergio Rodriguez, and Hedo Turkoglu. Filippi has scouted players in over 30 different countries and has attended major basketball events in five different continents throughout the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
In addition to his extensive experience as an NBA scout, Jason also has experience as a media member and as a sports agent. From 1995 through 1997, Filippi worked as a basketball journalist and served as a TV analyst for the two professional teams in Bologna, Italy: Virtus Bologna and Fortitudo Bologna. He was also a co-host of the TV show, ‘Basket Time’. Following his time as a media member, he worked as an agent for the sports agency Group Italia from 1997 through 1999.
To go along with his own NBA experience, Jason also has family ties within basketball and the NBA as well. His brother, Adam Filippi, is an experienced NBA scout and is currently the director of pro scouting for the Sacramento Kings."
I've learned not to put too much stock in average numbers in europe. His PPG scouldn't scare anyone. Let's just see him play.
Yes, but the scouting report I posted above (and near complete lack of mention of this guy prior to last week) sure seems to suggest he's a depth type.
I have read that he had offers to come over 2 years ago and apparently Kobe loved him..
Also in the Woj article he said he was a top free agent..
who knows eith these guys, he was playing in the top league in europe and not some small league in a rec center
I said, Filippi knows these guys better than most. He has extensive experience/knowledge in this field. Given the highlights, scouting reports and his take I'm fairly confident this is the player the Knicks are getting. A tough kid with "okay" natural talent.
The more I watch of Luca Vildoza, the more I like his prospects of being a nice player in the NBA. He passes really well, hits from deep, and competes on D. As a backup PG/spot starter, there's really nothing he can't do. NBA teams really need to give him a hard look as a UDFA.
Overall, I can see Vildoza’s combination of effort, IQ, and good hands making him a net neutral (or even slight positive) defender, even with concerns about keeping up with NBA ball-handlers. Certainly Vildoza will have a better chance keeping up with bench guards, and his attentive, active off-ball defense means the Knicks could get away with not placing him against the other team’s point guard.
If Vildoza’s on-ball defense is at an acceptable level, and if he can get into the paint regularly and finish at an OK clip, he could be a potential starting point guard for the Knicks next year. If those two skills aren’t quite up to par, he could fill a role off the bench as a combo guard, who could potentially close out games where he’s shooting the lights out. Either way, I comfortably project Vildoza to be a valuable member of the Knicks’ rotation.
Lastly, Vildoza is incredibly fun to watch. Luca plays the game with joy, a combination of fantastic pull-up shooting with creative passing. Here are two of my favorite plays of his from this season.
So all in all sounds like a no-brainer move but more likely a depth piece than adding the next Knicks starting PG Link - ( New Window )
Whoa. This seems like a big deal for a player with no NBA experience.
A potential bench lineup featuring Quickley, Vildoza, and Alec Burks could allow the Knicks to run a high-octane offense with the reserves — three high-level shooters, off the bounce and off the catch, is a hard ask for defenders. Luca's combo of shooting off the bounce with potential movement threes after running off screens means he can potentially play alongside other ball-dominant players like Randle, Barrett, or Rose, as well as keep the offense afloat when he is the primary.
Vildoza could potentially be either a replacement or insurance for Burks, if Burks’ level of play has increased his free agent market to the point where the Knicks get outbid. Vildoza could easily slide into the offensive role that Burks has had this season, and what Vildoza lacks in size, he gives back in terms of potential playmaking and off-ball/movement shooting compared to Burks.
The true swing skills for Vildoza offensively are his handle and burst getting downhill into the paint. I wonder if it’s going to be good enough to get by NBA-level defenders, largely because there were times in the games I watched where he struggled against EuroLeague defenders. There were times when he would lose the dribble executing a simple move on a drive, and even when the big would get switched onto Vildoza, he could rarely turn the corner and get an easy layup. While the .549 3PAr is a positive when it comes to showing his aggression in shooting, it is also perhaps an indictment of his capacity to drive and finish at the rim. That is also confirmed by Vildoza’s .279 free throw rate, well below EuroLeague average in 2020-21. Luca often struggled to finish at the rim when he did drive into the paint, and those struggles will likely only be magnified at the NBA level.
RE: Whoa. This seems like a big deal for a player with no NBA experience.
Marks pointed out it's essentially an identical move to what OKC just did with Gabriel Deck. 4 years 14.5 for Deck. He will make 3.8 million this season, final 3 seasons are not guaranteed.
Deck posted 16 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), three rebounds, three assists and a steal across 16 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's loss against the Kings.
Deck has only played four games but has seen his scoring figures improve in each contest -- he surpassed the 15-point plateau for the first time Tuesday. He's only averaging 9.3 points per game off the bench in four outings, but he could be an intriguing waiver addition in deep formats if he keeps seeing an increase in his role moving forward.
Like '07 Giants style (even though that's like 100x harder to do in the NBA).
Also-- the only 2 teams that really scared me as being "unbeatable" were the Lakers and the Nets (assuming both are fully healthy). Now with Lebron STILL struggling w/ his ankle this might not be their year. And the Nets are going to have ZERO time if any to get up to speed w/ their big 3 all playing together. I honestly could see with the way our team is rising at the right moment we could shock the Nets in a playoff series.
I realize just a week ago I was basically saying the ECF were a pipe dream and I was just hoping for a 1st round win, but I'm starting to think differently. This team has looked so impressive and has literally matured before our eyes as the season has progressed. They're peaking at the exact right time.
The team really that scares me the most right now is the Bucks. But I don't think they're unbeatable. Hell I think I'd rather play the Nets than the Bucks at this point. Hey maybe our 2nd and 3rd round opponents will be Sixers and Nets, respectively.
(I'm speaking purely in optimistic potentialities-- I give us about a 3% chance to win the Finals while it was probably like 0.1% a couple weeks ago in my mind)
But F all that, let’s shoot them out of their own gym. LFGK!!
If they are both out, Gibson will get all of the minutes against Jokic and then go small when Jokic is out
If they are both out, Gibson will get all of the minutes against Jokic and then go small when Jokic is out
May be time to see if Randle and Obi can function together
Same for Rose and Payton
Link - ( New Window )
Same for Rose and Payton
Problem is, RJ is still hesitant to go HAM to the rim. He can dunk on Centers, but he is hesitating to much at this point to do so. Personally I would love to see that become a normal part of his game. So many times he is doing that "tease drive" waiting for something to dump to. Would loce to see him just take a path and try to finish.
That said, not expecting much. If Obi has any doggish traits in him, tonight is the night to bark.
LGK!!!!!!
Apparently he had a 2 million buyout so he wasnt coming here on a 10 day, wonder if the Knicks gave him any indication he will be on the team next year
and is starting for them now
The Knicks had the salary cap space and roster spot to get ahead of summer free agency and secure Vildoza now. Vildoza, 25, would’ve been one of the top available free agent point guards in the 2021 summer marketplace.
13 mins ago – via Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN
“He is more of a slasher than a shooter but his 3-point shot has improved a lot since coming to Europe. He has a strong build and is a decent athlete for a Euro guard. Gritty, hard-nosed defender. Creative passer who is a good pick-&-roll player. I think he has just average natural talent but makes up for it with toughness and hard play. He has a knack for making big shots including an exciting game-winning buzzer-beater in last years’ Spanish League finals,” Filippi added.
Awesome news not just for today but for this road trip.
I don't think Prigioni was ever a "big" player even in his prime. Career 9.6, 4.3, 2.5 in Europe. I think realistically we are looking at PG depth vs. a starter type. I'd love to be wrong.
Yes, but the scouting report I posted above (and near complete lack of mention of this guy prior to last week) sure seems to suggest he's a depth type.
"ason Filippi brings 19 years of NBA scouting experience to Babcock Hoops and serves as a director of international scouting with an emphasized focus on international prospects currently playing in Europe.
Prior to joining Babcock Hoops, Jason held positions as an international scout for the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat. He also served as the director of international scouting for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a member of the front office for teams that selected the following European players in previous NBA Drafts: Nicolas Batum, Primoz Brezec, Rudy Fernandez, Pau Gasol, Victor Khryapa, Nenad Krstic, Sergio Rodriguez, and Hedo Turkoglu. Filippi has scouted players in over 30 different countries and has attended major basketball events in five different continents throughout the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
In addition to his extensive experience as an NBA scout, Jason also has experience as a media member and as a sports agent. From 1995 through 1997, Filippi worked as a basketball journalist and served as a TV analyst for the two professional teams in Bologna, Italy: Virtus Bologna and Fortitudo Bologna. He was also a co-host of the TV show, ‘Basket Time’. Following his time as a media member, he worked as an agent for the sports agency Group Italia from 1997 through 1999.
To go along with his own NBA experience, Jason also has family ties within basketball and the NBA as well. His brother, Adam Filippi, is an experienced NBA scout and is currently the director of pro scouting for the Sacramento Kings."
Quote:
I've learned not to put too much stock in average numbers in europe. His PPG scouldn't scare anyone. Let's just see him play.
Yes, but the scouting report I posted above (and near complete lack of mention of this guy prior to last week) sure seems to suggest he's a depth type.
I have read that he had offers to come over 2 years ago and apparently Kobe loved him..
Also in the Woj article he said he was a top free agent..
who knows eith these guys, he was playing in the top league in europe and not some small league in a rec center
If Vildoza’s on-ball defense is at an acceptable level, and if he can get into the paint regularly and finish at an OK clip, he could be a potential starting point guard for the Knicks next year. If those two skills aren’t quite up to par, he could fill a role off the bench as a combo guard, who could potentially close out games where he’s shooting the lights out. Either way, I comfortably project Vildoza to be a valuable member of the Knicks’ rotation.
Lastly, Vildoza is incredibly fun to watch. Luca plays the game with joy, a combination of fantastic pull-up shooting with creative passing. Here are two of my favorite plays of his from this season.
So all in all sounds like a no-brainer move but more likely a depth piece than adding the next Knicks starting PG
Link - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
Vildoza could potentially be either a replacement or insurance for Burks, if Burks’ level of play has increased his free agent market to the point where the Knicks get outbid. Vildoza could easily slide into the offensive role that Burks has had this season, and what Vildoza lacks in size, he gives back in terms of potential playmaking and off-ball/movement shooting compared to Burks.
The true swing skills for Vildoza offensively are his handle and burst getting downhill into the paint. I wonder if it’s going to be good enough to get by NBA-level defenders, largely because there were times in the games I watched where he struggled against EuroLeague defenders. There were times when he would lose the dribble executing a simple move on a drive, and even when the big would get switched onto Vildoza, he could rarely turn the corner and get an easy layup. While the .549 3PAr is a positive when it comes to showing his aggression in shooting, it is also perhaps an indictment of his capacity to drive and finish at the rim. That is also confirmed by Vildoza’s .279 free throw rate, well below EuroLeague average in 2020-21. Luca often struggled to finish at the rim when he did drive into the paint, and those struggles will likely only be magnified at the NBA level.
Final 3 years aren't guaranteed.
Deck posted 16 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), three rebounds, three assists and a steal across 16 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's loss against the Kings.
Deck has only played four games but has seen his scoring figures improve in each contest -- he surpassed the 15-point plateau for the first time Tuesday. He's only averaging 9.3 points per game off the bench in four outings, but he could be an intriguing waiver addition in deep formats if he keeps seeing an increase in his role moving forward.
Hes basically their first free agent signing for next year
Link - ( New Window )
Oh OK I see that-- thanks, Dan
Also-- the only 2 teams that really scared me as being "unbeatable" were the Lakers and the Nets (assuming both are fully healthy). Now with Lebron STILL struggling w/ his ankle this might not be their year. And the Nets are going to have ZERO time if any to get up to speed w/ their big 3 all playing together. I honestly could see with the way our team is rising at the right moment we could shock the Nets in a playoff series.
I realize just a week ago I was basically saying the ECF were a pipe dream and I was just hoping for a 1st round win, but I'm starting to think differently. This team has looked so impressive and has literally matured before our eyes as the season has progressed. They're peaking at the exact right time.
The team really that scares me the most right now is the Bucks. But I don't think they're unbeatable. Hell I think I'd rather play the Nets than the Bucks at this point. Hey maybe our 2nd and 3rd round opponents will be Sixers and Nets, respectively.
(I'm speaking purely in optimistic potentialities-- I give us about a 3% chance to win the Finals while it was probably like 0.1% a couple weeks ago in my mind)
I don’t know what your expectations are at this time, but right now they are playing better than most teams in the league.
Thibs gets a tech.
Not ideal.