Game Thread: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
Start Time: 02/01/2019 19:30:00
Celtics next up in trying to add to Knicks’ woes
Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, following a disappointing loss in Orlando on Jan. 12, called out his younger teammates about not understanding what it takes to be a championship-level team.
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Pre Game Links:
[cbssports.com] Celtics vs. Knicks odds, line: NBA picks, predictions, best bets from computer model on 29-14 run
[ibtimes.com] Kyrie Irving Won’t Commit To Celtics Amid Rumors He Could Join Kevin Durant, Knicks In Free Agency
[nydailynews.com] Kyrie Irving opens the door for the Knicks by walking back his verbal commitment to re-up with the Celtics
[businessinsider.com] Kyrie Irving said he doesn’t ‘owe anyone s—‘ when asked if he’ll stay with the Celtics, as rumors of a move to the Knicks mount
[celticsblog.com] Preview: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks Game #52
[usatoday.com] Opinion: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant to Knicks? Possible, impossible at the same time
[espn.com] Celtics guard Kyrie Irving says his focus is on winning title, not his future
[washingtonpost.com] Risk or reward: Knicks eye free agency after Porzingis trade
[bleacherreport.com] Kyrie Irving on Future with Celtics: ‘I Don’t Owe Anybody S–t’
[cbssports.com] Celtics vs. Knicks odds, line: NBA picks, predictions, best bets from model on 29-14 run
81 replies on “Game Thread: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks”
Ok, so Kyrie is signaling hard that he won’t re-sign with the Celtics, and apparently is interested in what the Knicks are going. I think there’s a good chance Ainge will try to deal him before the deadline.
The ideal scenario would be that he gets traded somewhere for a rental, then opts out and comes to the Knicks together with either Durant or Kawhi. But there’s a chance the Knicks might want to trade for him now, they could potentially flip DeAndre plus DSJ for Kyrie and filler, even though it’s very likely not what the Celtics would want to happen.
I do hope they stay patient and wait for the offseason, don’t repeat the Melo mistake. I’m really warming up to the idea of going for Irving as he’s having a very, very good season by all measures and is still young enough that he’s expected to be productive by the time he’s 30 in the last year of his deal. Trading for him now would probably hurt the tank, but it could also go a long way towards convincing other free agents that the Knicks are actually a destination with Irving already on board.
i got a color tv
so i can see
the knicks play basketball
it’ll be interesting to see who’s out there playing for us tonight…nice move trading kp the day before a nationally televised game…
interesting discussion on what to do with all the cap space…at the beginning of the year i was really interested to see how rozier’s year would play out…
we could go for two max players, or, maybe 3 or 4 decent nba starters…now that we have some more assets, we don’t need to limit ourselves to just free agents…
more than anything – no more worry about mudiay coming back – or – being stuck watching timmy try to “lead” the team…
next up – bye bye kanter…
I’m actually a little intrigued to see a backcourt of Frankie and Smith Jr.
A pretty solid set of athletically defensive players.
Not for the long term. Just curious.
But I agree, this isn’t yet done. I think they moved with a week left til the trade deadline because they have other irons in the fire.
The only suitors for DeAndre who have the expiring contracts to match his salary are the Clippers, Lakers, and Kings. What about DeAndre to the Clips for Gortat, Teodosic, and a 2021 pick (Top 20 protected)?
I am also slightly curious to hear what Sir Charles has to say about his hated Knicks.
The benefit of getting him in-house now doesn’t seem to be worth the damage he’d do to the tank. If he is intrigued by us, he’ll at least consider us in the offseason. Even if he doesn’t, we have multiple targets to go after.
The only star I would be trying to acquire is AD.
i don’t know – if AD does head to the lakers this season, or early in july – i think kyrie follows him…
If the lakers pull off Kyrie, AD, and LeBron….
Man, all these “_____ is interested in Jordan/Matthews when he gets bought out” rumors make me sick. The Knicks are expected to pay these guys so they can play for someone else? Fuck that.
why would bos trade kyrie now, unless we gave him our pick, which even we are not stupid enough to do
They’d trade him now bc he basically said he’s not loyal to them and bc his presence on the roster prevents them for trading for AD.
Wes Matthews seems inexplicably popular-i think we should be able to get a second for him from someone.
if bos can get AD, I could see them trading Kyrie. but, that’s the only reason to in season.
so, what if we spend this shit ton of cash on 3 guys instead of 2? and 2 of them are Khris middleton and scary terry? and, if we do that, do I need to change my username to KhriskZIPCODE
howdy hubert…that keldon johnson kid does have some really nice stats…i’ve never seen him play – how does he actually look out on the court ?
Smart played pretty damn well in Kyrie’s absence
rozier, middleton, harris, and some of the players we have now – might actually be a pretty decent team to watch…
Keldon is a pretty good scorer, but doesn’t quite have the handle or athleticism of someone like Barrett. That’s why he hasn’t been ranked as high. He’s still quite athletic though, just not quite at Barrett’s level. Doesn’t mean he couldn’t be a better player.
Yeah he’s improved his shooting a lot this season, going from a career TS% of .48 to .56 this season. But I highly doubt he maintains that level. The only way he’s stayed in the league up to this point is because of his defense and “intangibles” so his improved shooting is a bonus for the C’s.
so, l’m guessing we’ll start trier at the point and dotson at the 2…although – i guess there really isn’t much choice in who starts and plays tonight…
i’m sensing that mario is gonna have himself a blast in this game…
shoot away mario…shoot away…
Hubert, that is why they’re saying they like them and want them to play out the season with the team. They’re trying to make sure someone ponies up some second rounders for these guys. If they hit the open market then they can choose to go to the team they want. Its a game of who’s gonna blink first, so expect them both to get traded right before the deadline. But we could end up not being able to trade them and we do have to cut them.
But I feel like both are good enough (at least in reputation) that someone will blink and give us something for them. Deandre would be great for a team looking to shore up their interior defense and rebounding. Wes is a serviceable SG a la Courtney Lee (though maybe a little better?)
Do we have a point guard for the game tonight?
I want to point out that we got two 1st round draft picks in the trade. That’s usually a superstar price. On top of that we dumped our two worst contracts and picked up DSJ. I don’t really understand how a Knick fan could not be happy with that.
Cousins was traded to New Orleans for one 1st rounder and Hield.
Garnett was traded to Boston for two 1st rounders and mostly garbage.
Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers for two 1st rounders
Our trade seems better and our player seems worse. That’s a win.
how do we not sign ron baker back to play the point for 30 days, for the minimum. plus a no trade
now you’re talking knicks basketball 🙂
Sorry guys, but I’m rooting hard for this depleted ragtag group to put a hurtin on the Massholes.
as long as they lose by 1 on a goaltend
I actually love this trade:
With the choice of paying a fellow who hes been statistically slightly above average has difficulty staying on the floor and running out of gas every season while paying him 153M or dumping 2 horrible contracts and getting a future unprotected and a top 10 protected pick…. I’m in.
For those whinny GM types throwing shade saying they weren’t informed KP was on the block, I say the area code of Dallas is 214 ask for Mr Cuban or Mr nelson and make them the terrific better offer you had in mind and Mr Cuban will have no trouble accommodating you….
The options are numerous…. should they be able to sign 2 legit max players (also adding this years 1-7 pick), they always have the option of making an offer to a rebuilding team or one out of the playoffs or having no chance to go deep for a good young low base compensation player like Collins or Sabonis (not them exactly but someone like them) for similar base player (Frank or DSJr) plus 2 #1’s…. something like that to bring in a third real player.
They now have space AND fungible desired assets…..
I’d pay to watch :
Collins/Sabonis
KD
Kyrie
MRob
Frank
Plus this years draft choices, Trier, Dotson, Knox, a Mid level Exception and a few vet minimums and rookie FAs
It’s also 35 year old Kurt Thomas price, fwiw.
Or Timofey Mozgov price.
I’m so happy Anthony’s Davis’s father came out publicly and said he doesn’t want his son to play for the Celtics because of the way Ainge treated Isiah Thomas. This is exactly the way it’s supposed to work. If you treat people like an entry on a spreadsheet you should be punished for it by current and prospective employees.
First Hinkie got run out of the league for being a dick and now Anige may be out of the running for the premier free agent on the market because he used and then treated Isiah like shit after he gave his heart and body to the organization.
Sweet karma baby!
Tonight is the exception to the lose every game rule. I’ll even be rooting for Mudiay
#Fuck All Boston teams
Another tid-bit not mentioned with the whole KP trade is that the FO must be comfortable with the prospect of Vonleh as starting PF moving forward.
Its very interesting watching the ball move early
1st round picks that give you some shot of landing a star player have a lot of value because those are the players that are really tough to come by. Most other 1st round picks are probably overvalued, though some may have more value in the year the NBA drops 1 and done because there will be more top prospects to choose from.
I didn’t read all the details of our picks, but if I was Cuban, KP wouldn’t play his year and Doncic would start getting a lot of rest days. We sort of needed KP to play to have a better shot of attracting a free agent. Cuban has every reason to tank and not play KP. People already know Doncic.
Cuban’s is 2/3rds of the way to where he needs to be in his rebuild. If he can drop into the top 5 of the lottery he can hold onto this year’s pick, have a shot at grabbing another star (or least another good player), and if I understand it correctly, also delay when the Knicks get those 2 1st rounders.
Wow, D’Angelo Russell actually made the All-Star Game (as ‘Dipo’s injury replacement). That’s surprising.
Trier to Mitch. Very nice.
We are going to watch some super shitty basketball the rest of the way but so be it.
I heard 8-9 teams were part of the discussion (and that included virtually every highly regarded organization in the league).
And Gobert broke down in tears when asked about not making the All-Star team (which would have triggered a 1 million dollar bonus fwiw)
The All Star game is stupid
We’re actually going to watch more aesthetically pleasing (yet still losing) BB with Hardaway (the human black hole chucker) off the team
THCJ made me laugh out loud with this one:
I have no idea! Was hoping someone here knew.
I posted it on the other thread. I think Keldon is considered a mid-lottery pick.
Kanter sighting!
Amazing he’s still here after asking out basically
So Trier’s hair…
On purpose?
Love the ESPN guy talking about “the new found Knicks culture.”
Kadeem Allen lost 20 pounds and people can’t stop talking about it. Raises more questions I think but hey, I am a jerk….
What is the Trier hair situation?
BTW, cant believe Mitch lost a tip to Aron Baynes
I had a similar reaction
Doris Burke, wtf.
Apparently we have a shot at Klay Thompson. That would be ultra Knicksy actually, surprised we haven’t featured that in a nightmare scenario.
I think the new culture translated is:
Losing while very young and dumb.
As opposed to losing while old and stupid
It’s pretty funny how Anthony Davis Sr. was standing up for the honor of Isaiah Thomas on the same night that Thomas was mocking Gobert for getting emotional about not making the All-Star Game (they are not really connected besides the odd timing).
Trier’s hair just looks like the absence of styling.
It just looks slept on.
Come to think of it, Knox’s hair looks similar.
Maybe it is a style.
Or I’m just getting old.
It would be kind of funny to get KD and Klay, just for the oddity of taking 2/5th of Golden State’s starting lineup.
Kadeem Allen isn’t very skilled but he could have a place in the league if he continues to play every game like his life is on the line
Hahaha
“You don’t want this team hanging around into the second…”
What’s she worried about. They always get killed in the 4th.
Fear not
klay thompson would be a nightmare scenario number 2 behind boogie…
Oof. There’s no one who has benefitted more from playing on Golden State than Klay. If he came here I have a feeling a lot of us would feel like THJ never left.
There’s a headline on ESPN right now:
Scott Perry says “trading Porzingis was out of respect for him.”
I’m sorry, these guys are way too slick for their own good. Him, Fiz, Mills, they talk to people like they’re suckers p
It’s funny how much better this team is now without those overfed vets. I’d be ok with a win tonight if only to show Kyrie that we mean business.
The sports media (and this country) is full of suckers, so I’m cool with it.
I’ve never heard a single player of Hinkie’s say a bad word about him. On the contrary, I’ve actually heard he was surprisingly personal and honest with players. Embiid was definitely not thrilled with the way his departure went down. It was ownership groups that spearheaded his ouster.
Have you seen Hield’s stats this year? That guy’s a fucking stud. I would trade any player on this roster not named Mitch plus a pick for Hield.
Does Mitch have a conditioning issue? Why has he been sitting forever?
Is 2 assists a career high for Knox?
Mario looks like he thinks his teammates suck.
Lol
Btw, Knox is incredibly passive for a guy who was supposed to be a stud
Yeah, a lot of people were wrong on Hield, including me. I think at the time his perceived value was low so it seemed like a crap return. Vlade showed us!
Scott Perry hasn’t done anything super dumb yet and maybe we have to give him a little credit for this trade – wrestling with that idea. But nothing about the messaging coming out of MSG makes me feel good about the future.
Ess-Dog/BobNeptune – You guys are right. Better to watch these guys. The ball seems to b moving slightly more too.
I was actually playing around with the trade machine trying to find a 2 guard for Smith/Trier/Frank to balance out the roster when I saw Hield’s stats. I had no idea he had taken such a leap this year.
Hield is definitely playable.
Klay Thompson is super interesting. I’d love to know what GF fans think of him and his future. Anyone who maxes him is effed. Don’t know what he’ll get but intrigued.
Seems like a very Knicksy guy. The Allan Houston of the 2020’s.
AD seems to really not want to go to Boston.
I feel soooo much better of the whole KP trade after reading this
https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/nba/2019/2/1/18206623/knicks-trade-kristaps-porzingis-kevin-durant-kyrie-irving
Good to see some life in Knox, now that he’s basically the team’s star player (for now, of course).
I absolutely love the text Anthony Davis’ dad sent ESPN.
Dotson is playing really well. I’ve honestly never really known what to make of that guy (from a basketball perspective…otherwise he can fuck himself) but I guess it’s good we have him under contract for a while.
Mario puts the absolute least amount of effort on defense possible.
Haha, I was just thinking that Mario tries hard he’s just really very bad.
If Kanter keeps playing like he has tonight he may not get picked up by anyone once the
Knicks waive him.
I also posted something (albeit brief). Keldon is a good shooter and scorer, good athlete, but he does not look like an NBA primary initiator (compared to someone like Barrett, who may be if he can be a bit smarter in how he plays). Neither his athleticism nor his handle is good enough. He’s more of a 3 and D guy.
I do find it funny a few here like Keldon Johnson based on his stats but I’ve heard others dismiss Nassir Little. Little averages more than 3 rebounds per game more than Johnson per 40, and extra block per 40, and an extra 0.3 steals per 40. Super important stats for a wing to demonstrate NBA athleticism and typically translates well to the NBA. Little is also shooting a slightly better percentage on twos and scoring more points per 40. The only thing Johnson is really doing better is shooting threes, a stat that hasn’t translated that well to the NBA and is perhaps the easiest skill to improve (rebounds and especially defensive stats rarely change).
Johnson’s shot 68 college threes, so hitting 42% on those isn’t especially meaningful. He’s a good prospect but lets not go overboard here.
I wasn’t going overboard, I was just seeking commentary like yours from people who watch college basketball.
I’m just extremely underwhelmed by the non-Zion prospects in the top 10 of this draft. When you look at their stats, they seem like an army of Kevin Knox’s.
just got home and started watching the beginning of the broadcast…
cassidy just got done interviewing perry…
I gotta say – he seems like a reasonably honest individual…
I like perry… I love his stank face while he’s up in the crowd…
I have no real idea, but – I gotta imagine a good stank face helps in negotiations 🙂
he reiterated that porzingis initiated the idea of leaving the team, which obviously is sort of a half truth…
you don’t pull the trigger that quick without having things set up already…
I’m not sure who all was in the room representing whom – but, I can’t imagine it would have been that difficult steering Porzingis in that direction…
heard a soundbite from mills yesterday – I hope that guy never speaks for the knicks again…
in a one on one conversation- I don’t think I would believe anything coming out of his mouth…
i need to go back and look at all of his transactions to date, but – i get the feeling that Perry is doing okay…
oh yeah, one other note – how big do you think jimmy d smiled when he found out we were gonna surprise the zinger with a trade…
yeah man, poorzingis needs better management…got get that 4 and half mil next year…
@Hubert
Yeah I’m with you to some degree. There are some hyped guys who’ve not looked great in college. I think there will be more movement from prior rankings in this draft, whereas the last couple drafts have had very high correlations with high school recruiting rankings.
Obviously Zion is great, and I also love Ja Morant, though he may be one of those players who is more entertaining than actually going to lead you to a championship. I think Barrett is a fair risk as a potential stud with some good coaching, and I really liked Bol Bol, but of course have no idea about the health issues. After that it’s murkier from a top 5 perspective. I really like De’Andre Hunter, super long but quick perimeter defender who can score a bunch of different ways (but definitely not a lead initiator). Then there’s a bunch of guys like Culver, Jaxson Hayes, Johnson, Little, etc. None has separated enough yet to where I’d want to use a top five pick on them.
I give credit to Glass on Hield – he was highly touting him a few years ago, when he seemed destined to mediocrity to me.
it’s a good solid draft…. probably about the same as 2015…. the freshmen aside from the duke guys wasn’t expected to be all that great…. but a handful have actually distinguished themselves quite well… and you have some unexpected years from some sophs and the lotto portion is shaping up to be quite nice….