Comments on: Knicks Morning News (2018.12.26)

By: Farfa

Farfa — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 09:42:10 +0000

What is this crazy paradise you describe?

I don’t know if you’d call paradise an environment where scores are routinely in the low 70s and guys are slower, sweatier and apparently much dirtier (both in the literal and sports-wise sense). I was born into it and was coached to fit into that, so I really like it. I don’t know if it could be appealing to Americans’ taste, though.

By: ptmilo

ptmilo — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 08:51:00 +0000

The 2015 Warriors had the #1 defense in the league, not the #1 offense. Was it because Steve Kerr came in and turned Mark Jackson’s players into defensive stalwarts? Or was it because he unleashed a blistering offensive system that tired opponents out and led them to in turn shoot a low eFG%? My guess is the latter.

They went from the number 4 defense under Jackson while handing a bunch of shitty David Lee minutes to Draymond. There’s no mystery to solve. The same Warriors has an even better offense in 16-17 and the defense fell to 5th when Bogut became Pachulia, below 13-14 both relatively and absolutely. The better explanation is that the Warriors were a good defensive team, which studs like Iggy, Bogut and Draymond and not many jokers.

By: Grocer

Grocer — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 05:31:52 +0000

Usually, hopeless chuckers get benched very quickly this side of the pond.

What is this crazy paradise you describe? I am intrigued by these ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

By: Farfa

Farfa — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 05:14:41 +0000

@Farfa I don’t understand your comment #81. If Frank’s mindset is a dime-a-dozen in Euroball, doesn’t that imply he’d be value-less there? I’d think his mindset would be more valuable in the NBA, since it’s rarer.

Ah, yes, it wasn’t clear. What I meant was that he would blend much better there and his size would be a huge plus, while his weak athleticism and passive mentality would not be such a problem, thanks to a different approach from coaches and front offices alike. Usually, hopeless chuckers get benched very quickly this side of the pond.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 04:17:11 +0000

In reply to Z-man.

The Western Conference is insane. 18-16 is the #10 seed! And the current #11-12 seeds, Utah and Minnesota, are pretty good teams, too!

By: Grocer

Grocer — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 04:14:49 +0000

I wanna ‘yes, and’ that. Offense has more value than defense, and nobody has figured out a really effective defense against the current mode. The closest is the Warriors, probably part skill and probably part intra-team scrimmage. It feels like 70-30, maybe 60-40 offense. But if you can put together a squad and scheme that can cut that advantage by 5-8%, that could be a big difference maker and I suspect the answer lies partly with extremely switchy defenders like Frank who work hard on screens drawing enough offensive fouls to make up for the beats. That player also needs to be a non-zero on offense too obviously, which Frank is not. But absent the best collective talent the league has seen you have to work both sides.

By: Donnie Walsh

Donnie Walsh — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 04:01:02 +0000

Though the game is, technically, 50% offense and 50% defense, I don’t think that defense is the same value as offense in today’s league. I think the league values offense more, and has adjusted the rules and the style of play to emphasize it and teams that cling to a defensive oriented model are going to lose in the long run.

The 2015 Warriors had the #1 defense in the league, not the #1 offense. Was it because Steve Kerr came in and turned Mark Jackson’s players into defensive stalwarts? Or was it because he unleashed a blistering offensive system that tired opponents out and led them to in turn shoot a low eFG%? My guess is the latter.

The 1994 Knicks, with all of their grit, strength, and defensive intensity, probably wouldn’t even be a playoff contender in today’s league. As much as some of us loved that style of play, it ain’t coming back. At least not during Frank Ntilikina’s NBA lifetime.

By: ptmilo

ptmilo — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 02:51:55 +0000

kemba to mikal: hold my beer kid

By: The Honorable Cock Jowles

The Honorable Cock Jowles — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 02:41:32 +0000

Yeah, but nothing like winning the OT period 4-2 to seal the deal!

And whoever said that NBA teams don’t play defense?

By: Z-man

Z-man — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 02:35:23 +0000

Yeah, but nothing like winning the OT period 4-2 to seal the deal!