|
|
|
| Quote: |
| Immanuel Quickley stared at the court. In front of him stood his new teammates, his new coaches. Excitement welled up inside him. It was his first practice as an NBA player—as a New York Knick. Quickley had dreamed of being here ever since he was a fifth-grader playing rec ball, back when his mother and coach, Nitrease, told him to take it easy on the other kids. “I’m going to need you to not take the ball from them,” she told him one game during a timeout. Quickley returned to the court and snatched the ball from the player he was guarding. He was just as persistent that fall afternoon in 2020, as his first Knicks practice began. The coaches quickly divided up players for teams. But when they got to Quickley, they handed him a green-colored jersey, which signified that he would be relegated to the third—and potentially even fourth—practice squad. Green? Really? |
5th in Net Rating (+10.9)
2nd in Offense (116.3)
11th in Defense (105.4)
So, a very good morning to you, fan of a good-to-very-good basketball team.
After 4 games, a few things that have stood out to me:
- Mitch Robinson is significantly improved. He is a real presence out there defensively, and has rebounded the ball much better than in the past. I don't even think he is in shape condition wise yet, so we may even see more from him as the year goes on. Yeah he is still limited offensively, but as long as he can stay healthy I think extending him is a no brainer.
- Besides Mitch, I think Obi Toppin is clearly the most improved player on the team. The knock on him out of Dayton was that he was a total zero on defense, but he has actually been respectable on that end of the court. He also bring awesome energy to the second unit, and is almost unstoppable on the break.
- It really feels like Kemba and RJ are still trying to figure out their roles within the first unit. Randle obviously is going to get his, Fournier seems to have already found where to fit in, but Walker and Barrett have been pretty hesitant. It was great to see Walker take over for a bit last night, but in general I have been a little surprised at how passively he has played. As for Barrett, he just seems timid out there, like he is playing to avoid mistakes but then is making them because he is thinking and not reacting. It will be interesting to watch to see how these two settle in over the next few weeks.
- Also, Julius Randle is a beast. Legit star player that will be in the conversation for All-NBA again.
Really good post and agree with everything. I was hard on Toppin this year but its been great to see him so improved. Hopefully he keeps improving.
Mitch has been outstanding. His added weight has definitely helped and he hasn't lost his bounce. He has been tremendous as a rim protector and rebounder. Next step is showing a little offense but he's been great.
Derrick Rose has been really great for the Knicks. What a trade last year for him and cool to see him revive his career here. He is an elite backup point guard and will definitely be in contention for 6th man of the year.
Love having Thibs here- just a great head coach and puts his team in position to win every night.
Thibs will scream at him for stupid plays, but RJ is resilient. I do wonder, though, whether we might see a little of Fornier at the 3, with Quickley coming in at the 2. Later on, we may see some of Grimes at the backup 2, with Fornier playing a little 3 alongside him. That way, we would still have a strong wing defender in Grimes, and he can clearly shoot as well, and even rebound a little. And, Fornier is a really strong offensive player.
Btw, what Thibs is giving Toppin is "tough love." I doubt that he would yell at him so much if he didn't see a real player in there. Toppin hasn't gotten his 3 stroke back yet, but I think that it is likely that he does. He keeps shooting 3's that are just barely off.
This team is good. I have a theory or take that the starting rotation is better suited for playoff success than last year's team, but the bench will get us a higher seed to get there. This bench is so built for the regular season, in a good way. Bad teams or thin benches will really struggle. Tired teams are doomed.
Don’t think this is even close either. This years lineup with Kemba, Fournier and healthy Mitch has a chance of beating the Hawks last years
This team is good. I have a theory or take that the starting rotation is better suited for playoff success than last year's team, but the bench will get us a higher seed to get there. This bench is so built for the regular season, in a good way. Bad teams or thin benches will really struggle. Tired teams are doomed.
There was a play early Embiid tried to body Mitch and Mitch said nope and held his ground, it set the tone for the entire night..
I only remember a couple of times Embiid got all the way to the rim..
He is an energizer, the second he comes in with Rose the speed picks up, he gets the team easy baskets..
The Sixers were gassed after having to deal eith the Knicks bench
Speaking of working on inside game, funny thing my son and I watched when we arrived early at the Amway center for the game last Fri. We were on the side where the Magic warmed up and we watched some individual shooting.
Robin Lopez was taking little hook shots from about 3 ft from the hoop. Someone was feeding him and he missed shot after shot after shot; from 3 ft! At one point I said to my son, is he trying to miss? I mean, is that a thing, these days?
When he finally made one, he shook his head and had a look of relief. We were like, WTH? I guess being 7' will keep you in the league a while.
The bench is going to be the difference in some games this year.
Randle has to take some of the open shots he is getting, he is passing up wide open looks then dribbles and takes a tougher shot..He is still adjusting to playing with guys getting him wide upen looks
The bench is going to be the difference in some games this year.
The 2 seed team a few years ago was probably their last good bench and is probably not even close to this one.
@WexlerRules
·
1h
Sandy came back, Omar came back… only one answer here @Jim_Duquette
part deux #Mets
Jim Duquette
@Jim_Duquette
·
Replying to
@WexlerRules
Lol
@WexlerRules
·
1h
Sandy came back, Omar came back… only one answer here @Jim_Duquette
part deux #Mets
Jim Duquette
@Jim_Duquette
·
Replying to
@WexlerRules
Lol
Wrong thread sorry guys!
And I remember later thinking it would be nice if guys like John Starks (would've been a nice 6th man) and Charlie Ward (as just a couple examples) were coming off the bench instead of being depended on so heavily as starters.
Ewing would've won a title if he had this supporting cast.
Maybe its just me but Obi looks taller, stronger and just more fit this year.
I'm not advocating for this by any means because this team has been really enjoyable to watch, but this team is in a great spot to trade for star for many reasons. Multiple good players on rookie deals, multiple affordable good contracts, extra 1st round picks, and a destination city with a good playoff team.
Just an incredible turnaround in 2 seasons. What was the Vegas over/ under last season for the Knicks? I am already kicking myself for not taking the over this year at 41...
Link - ( New Window )
Evan Roberts too
Link - ( New Window )
I was thinking the same damn thing.
Quote:
and The Michael Kay Show spends an hour discussing the attendance being slightly down at MSG this year.
Evan Roberts too Link - ( New Window )
Evan Roberts is also a little bit of a douche when it is not his team
I mean is it really that big of a story?
Quote:
and The Michael Kay Show spends an hour discussing the attendance being slightly down at MSG this year.
Evan Roberts too Link - ( New Window )
I mean the Knicks are filling at 86% with a Sunday night game and a game in a rain storm. The get in price is also double the nets.
I mean is it really that big of a story?
Also offices aren’t fully back and the Knicks rely a lot on the corporate group for attendance.
Quote:
You have to be vaccinated, people are still afraid to go places, and it is still early in the season in the middle of the week..
I mean is it really that big of a story?
Also offices aren’t fully back and the Knicks rely a lot on the corporate group for attendance.
yup very good point
Yeah it's wild. He's a bench player only because of injury history/minutes restrictions - he's still an All-Star caliber player otherwise. This is the role Melo should've embraced sooner - lighting up second units for 25 minutes per night.
Also is there anything more dumb than Evan Roberts calling the barclays "the clays"
I couldn't stand him as a player (or a person) his first time around in NY. But now I've done a complete 180 on him. I can't think of another player like that for any of the teams I root for.
Pleasantly surprised to see them enforcing this. Next step is to enforce it in the playoffs too.
They aren't good.
it makes him an average basketball player, he is barely going to the rim at this point
Lakers were up 26