Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
·
2h
Today is first day of Knicks training camp. And my last day covering Knicks for The Post after 23 seasons. Thanks for reading. Thanks for responding.
Can Randle summon the 3-point shooting touch, leadership and unselfishness that marked his 2020-21 campaign, held in mostly empty gyms?
“That was a surprise year, even to the Knicks’’ one NBA GM said. “There was a Thibodeau effect that had him overachieve to a career season. When Thibs took the job, I never anticipated him and Randle being a good pairing because Thibs would resent Randle not really defending. But he played with bluster and a tough-guy persona.’’
Randle also shot 41.1 percent from 3-point range. In his other full seasons, Randle never bested 34.4 percent. Five times, No. 30 shot 30 percent or less from 3.
see also
“You look at his career, that season two years ago was a clear outlier,’’ the GM said. “What happened this past year was more his career norms and why the Lakers moved him and New Orleans didn’t make an attempt to resign him [in 2019].’’
With Mitchell traded to Cleveland, the Knicks have to rely on the nucleus of Brunson-Randle-Barrett unless Rose pulls off a monster trade he’s shown no inclination of doing. Link - ( New Window )
But he was useless. Anything he put out there was either completely uniformed or a straight opinion. He seemed to have zero pulse of the team.
He seemed even less tied in/respected than Isola tbh. Isola was the king troll be he seemed to usually know what he was talking about when he wasn't trashing Dolan.
Fred Katz
@FredKatz
·
3m
RJ Barrett is at the podium for his first interview of the season. Said he’s “very happy, very thankful” for his new contract. “I’ve always wanted to be here,” he said.
But he was useless. Anything he put out there was either completely uniformed or a straight opinion. He seemed to have zero pulse of the team.
there were multiple instances of him flat out getting facts wrong with respect to trade details and such. Well after the fact. And he was the king of linking the Knicks to every pending free agent - even when it was a remote possiblity. The Knicks as a franchise have been perceived to be a joke for many years and it's obviously their own fault. But this clown probably made it a little worse when his "reporting" would get aggregated and go national - and subsequently get rebutted by anyone with half a clue.
Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
Take that Masai Ujiri. Bargnani's two straight jumpers give #Knicks a 69-62 lead. Why are fans thinking Ujiri won that trade? TBD.
9:10 PM · Dec 13, 2013
Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
Take that Masai Ujiri. Bargnani's two straight jumpers give #Knicks a 69-62 lead. Why are fans thinking Ujiri won that trade? TBD.
9:10 PM · Dec 13, 2013
Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
Take that Masai Ujiri. Bargnani's two straight jumpers give #Knicks a 69-62 lead. Why are fans thinking Ujiri won that trade? TBD.
9:10 PM · Dec 13, 2013
-Brunson solves so many of last year's problems. As the lead guy, he brings toughness, swagger and intelligence. I am not saying he is Magic Johnson, but he will immediately change the intangibles (and tangibles) on this team. Perhaps the best thing is reducing Randle's bad decision frequency.
-IQ is probably not a starter now or ever, but he's a likable player who plays hard and fast. He's a perfect 2nd unit lead guard.
-Rose - not sure how he factors in.
SG:
-I love Grimes. Just love the way he defends/shoots. Tough, physical kid that has some Desmond Bane to his game.
-As a backup 2/3, Fournier in theory can be good in that role. Its when he plays big minutes that he warts come out.
SF:
-RJB is a serious minded, competitive player who has made major strides. Still, efficiency improvement is needed. Brunson rather than Randle running the O should be a major help.
-In theory, Reddish is the backup 3. I just don't believe in him, DNA wise. Hasn't developed his body or his game. Sluggish player who still thinks is natural talent is enough. Its not.
PF:
-Randle was brutal last year. A great example of how "counting" stats (20,10,5) mean nothing. He hurt the team almost every game. He needs to a) play far less b) go back to the interior animal he once was. Note: I don't believe either will happen.
-Obi Toppin has some of the traits IQ has. Different position of course and more physically gifted. But boundless energy. He needs to play 20+ min a night. Will Thibs/Randle block him again?
C:
-Robinson is a good rim protector and finisher. But despite being in the league multiple years, I am not sure he provides anything that Jericho Sims does not. Still, having 2 serious vertical threats in addition to Obi is a nice thing.
-Then you have Hartenstein who few know of. People will soon learn that he's a plus defender and passer who understands the game in a way the other two do not.
The beat reporters are the least of the Knicks problems
I think they make a point to get Obi to 20 min/game. It's interesting though, this leaves Cam out of the rotation entirely and yet I still feel like it could stand to lose one of either Fournier or Rose to up the minutes for IQ/Grimes.
I think they make a point to get Obi to 20 min/game. It's interesting though, this leaves Cam out of the rotation entirely and yet I still feel like it could stand to lose one of either Fournier or Rose to up the minutes for IQ/Grimes.
I'd do Randle for Crowder and either Saric or Shamet. Personally I would throw in one of the bad protected picks too but I doubt this front office would do that.
That's pretty close to how I see it as well, but I think Hartenstein will get more than 17 per game. I could see it being Mitch 24, Hartenstein 24. I know they want to get Obi more PT but I don't see it happening at C.
for Crowder and Saric, Rose to LAL for their 2027 pick, lotto protected. Do it!
it seems like a no brainer that we would look to move Rose at some point. But I saw it mentioned earlier this summer (might have been Begley) that Rose was "family" and they do not want to trade him.
Honestly given the past two years it is probably safer to assume a true center out there at all times. That said, I think they want to get Obi a bit more time and even just two minutes a half would make a big difference. I don't see Julius playing less than 32 min/game so either Obi is capped at 16 or they play together for a bit. This is Obi's third year and he is already an older guy, so they have to play him/see what they have or else trade him. He is already extension eligible after this season, so have to figure it out sooner than later.
“That was a surprise year, even to the Knicks’’ one NBA GM said. “There was a Thibodeau effect that had him overachieve to a career season. When Thibs took the job, I never anticipated him and Randle being a good pairing because Thibs would resent Randle not really defending. But he played with bluster and a tough-guy persona.’’
Randle also shot 41.1 percent from 3-point range. In his other full seasons, Randle never bested 34.4 percent. Five times, No. 30 shot 30 percent or less from 3.
see also
“You look at his career, that season two years ago was a clear outlier,’’ the GM said. “What happened this past year was more his career norms and why the Lakers moved him and New Orleans didn’t make an attempt to resign him [in 2019].’’
With Mitchell traded to Cleveland, the Knicks have to rely on the nucleus of Brunson-Randle-Barrett unless Rose pulls off a monster trade he’s shown no inclination of doing.
Link - ( New Window )
He seemed even less tied in/respected than Isola tbh. Isola was the king troll be he seemed to usually know what he was talking about when he wasn't trashing Dolan.
@FredKatz
·
3m
RJ Barrett is at the podium for his first interview of the season. Said he’s “very happy, very thankful” for his new contract. “I’ve always wanted to be here,” he said.
Thomas hasn't been here in... 15 years.
@FredKatz
·
17s
RJ Barrett says he worked on his decision-making with the ball, his finishing and his free throws the most this offseason.
"more than 20" wow
there were multiple instances of him flat out getting facts wrong with respect to trade details and such. Well after the fact. And he was the king of linking the Knicks to every pending free agent - even when it was a remote possiblity. The Knicks as a franchise have been perceived to be a joke for many years and it's obviously their own fault. But this clown probably made it a little worse when his "reporting" would get aggregated and go national - and subsequently get rebutted by anyone with half a clue.
@NYPost_Berman
Take that Masai Ujiri. Bargnani's two straight jumpers give #Knicks a 69-62 lead. Why are fans thinking Ujiri won that trade? TBD.
9:10 PM · Dec 13, 2013
Quote:
Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
Take that Masai Ujiri. Bargnani's two straight jumpers give #Knicks a 69-62 lead. Why are fans thinking Ujiri won that trade? TBD.
9:10 PM · Dec 13, 2013
Welp, that aged well!
Either way, I know he had family issues earlier this offseason. Hope that everything is ok with him.
Quote:
Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
Take that Masai Ujiri. Bargnani's two straight jumpers give #Knicks a 69-62 lead. Why are fans thinking Ujiri won that trade? TBD.
9:10 PM · Dec 13, 2013
Lol. That’s Francesa level dumbassery
-Brunson solves so many of last year's problems. As the lead guy, he brings toughness, swagger and intelligence. I am not saying he is Magic Johnson, but he will immediately change the intangibles (and tangibles) on this team. Perhaps the best thing is reducing Randle's bad decision frequency.
-IQ is probably not a starter now or ever, but he's a likable player who plays hard and fast. He's a perfect 2nd unit lead guard.
-Rose - not sure how he factors in.
SG:
-I love Grimes. Just love the way he defends/shoots. Tough, physical kid that has some Desmond Bane to his game.
-As a backup 2/3, Fournier in theory can be good in that role. Its when he plays big minutes that he warts come out.
SF:
-RJB is a serious minded, competitive player who has made major strides. Still, efficiency improvement is needed. Brunson rather than Randle running the O should be a major help.
-In theory, Reddish is the backup 3. I just don't believe in him, DNA wise. Hasn't developed his body or his game. Sluggish player who still thinks is natural talent is enough. Its not.
PF:
-Randle was brutal last year. A great example of how "counting" stats (20,10,5) mean nothing. He hurt the team almost every game. He needs to a) play far less b) go back to the interior animal he once was. Note: I don't believe either will happen.
-Obi Toppin has some of the traits IQ has. Different position of course and more physically gifted. But boundless energy. He needs to play 20+ min a night. Will Thibs/Randle block him again?
C:
-Robinson is a good rim protector and finisher. But despite being in the league multiple years, I am not sure he provides anything that Jericho Sims does not. Still, having 2 serious vertical threats in addition to Obi is a nice thing.
-Then you have Hartenstein who few know of. People will soon learn that he's a plus defender and passer who understands the game in a way the other two do not.
Link - ( New Window )
PG - Brunson 32/Rose 16
SG - Grimes 22/IQ 22/Fournier 4
SF - Barrett 34/Fournier 14
PF - Randle 32/Obi 16
C - Mitch 27/Hartenstein 17/Obi 4
I think they make a point to get Obi to 20 min/game. It's interesting though, this leaves Cam out of the rotation entirely and yet I still feel like it could stand to lose one of either Fournier or Rose to up the minutes for IQ/Grimes.
PG - Brunson 32/Rose 16
SG - Grimes 22/IQ 22/Fournier 4
SF - Barrett 34/Fournier 14
PF - Randle 32/Obi 16
C - Mitch 27/Hartenstein 17/Obi 4
I think they make a point to get Obi to 20 min/game. It's interesting though, this leaves Cam out of the rotation entirely and yet I still feel like it could stand to lose one of either Fournier or Rose to up the minutes for IQ/Grimes.
That's an intelligent stab at it.
I might be down to around 5
PG - Brunson 32/Rose 16
SG - Grimes 22/IQ 22/Fournier 4
SF - Barrett 34/Fournier 14
PF - Randle 32/Obi 16
C - Mitch 27/Hartenstein 17/Obi 4
That's pretty close to how I see it as well, but I think Hartenstein will get more than 17 per game. I could see it being Mitch 24, Hartenstein 24. I know they want to get Obi more PT but I don't see it happening at C.
it seems like a no brainer that we would look to move Rose at some point. But I saw it mentioned earlier this summer (might have been Begley) that Rose was "family" and they do not want to trade him.
Media Day - ( New Window )