[news.google.com] — Wednesday, April 12, 2023 5:25:13 AM
Knicks’ drivers vs. Cavaliers’ rim protectors: Who has an advantage? The Athletic
[news.google.com] — Wednesday, April 12, 2023 12:00:50 AM
New York or Nowhere’s Quincy Moore and Liz Eswein on … Glossy
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 11:50:13 PM
Kris Jenkins Calls Out Mavericks, Mark Cuban For Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Situation Sports Illustrated
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 10:59:00 PM
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson sends stern Cavs warning to New York ClutchPoints
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 7:51:37 PM
Mets pitcher pays tribute to ex-Knicks star with celebration Larry Brown Sports
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 7:00:00 PM
NBA First Round Playoff Schedule: Full List of Games Daily Knicks
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 6:53:00 PM
Injured Julius Randle practices as Knicks-Cavaliers series looms New York Post
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 5:56:26 PM
Kevin Sheehan Show: Can the Knicks file a grievance with the NBA … Audacy
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 5:17:22 PM
2023 NBA first-round playoff previews: (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) New York Knicks Yahoo Sports
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 5:02:00 PM
Cavaliers hopeful Isaac Okoro will be ready for playoff opener vs. Knicks Yahoo News
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 4:41:41 PM
New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers schedule, TV: How to … The Arizona Republic
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 3:40:02 PM
RJ Barrett talks past playoff experience with Knicks: ‘It’s funny how one little mistake can change an entire series’ | Knicks News Conference Yahoo Sports
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 1:48:48 PM
Paul George on Carmelo Anthony: ‘100%’ toughest player to guard ClutchPoints
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 1:32:43 PM
Knicks Injuries: Mike Breen Provides Hopeful Update for Julius Randle Sports Illustrated
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 11:57:48 AM
Obi Toppin Sounds off on Tom Thibodeau After Pacers Beat Knicks Heavy.com
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 11:01:06 AM
Playing for the 1993-94 New York Knicks | Ram?n Rodr?guez’s … Deadspin
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 10:57:00 AM
5 biggest free-agent mistakes in New York Knicks history FanSided
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 10:14:51 AM
Cavs vs Hornets Post Game: J.B. Bickerstaff Heavy.com
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 9:35:56 AM
Stephen A. Smith has no time for Knicks moral victories Elite Sports NY
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 9:05:38 AM
Pod Strickland: Episode 287 The Strickland
[news.google.com] — Tuesday, April 11, 2023 8:10:00 AM
Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions: Picking series winner in first round of 2023 NBA playoffs DraftKings Nation
91 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2023.04.12)”
Another nice piece by Katz (I feel like his shill) on NY’s drivers vs. Cleveland’s swatters. Summary line:
“New York wants to barrel into the paint, and Cleveland is as well-equipped to handle barreling as any other squad in existence.”
“The Knicks are good. I don’t buy this Ricky Bobby philosophy.”
This is awesome. I’m cloning it, and appropriating the clone.
There’s hope!
Could be wrong, but I feel like the reports of Randle working out are misdirection. I just don’t expect him back until the second series, or maybe game 4 of the first.
Because Obi can shoot the 3, we can win without Randle…but it would take probably more creativity and ability to adapt than Thibs has in him. Though he’s been surprisingly flexible this season.
Well, if Randle isn’t available, i don’t think we have a chance given the drop off to Obi’s defense. And rebounding. But this team has a fighting spirit in them, so i’ll be hoping they can surprise us once again.
I think that whether we beat the Cavs or not will be largely about confidence. The hope is that Brunson and Hart lead by example and give confidence to RJ, Grimes, IQ, and Obi to be their best selves. I truly believe that if Randle is available that our rotation is overall as good or better than the Cavs.
One critical player will be Hartenstein. I expect Mitch to do all the things he does best, but iHart is more of an X-factor…when he is at his best he’s a more like IQ…a starter coming off the bench.
And Josh Hart’s impact on the bench unit + 1 is going to be huge. We absolutely have to win the bench battle, CLE’s depth is not all that good.
If I was Pat Riley I might start considering blowing up the Heat. He probably won’t, but that was pitiful last night. They got demolished on the boards and didn’t defend like a Miami Heat team.
If what we are hearing is accurate, I think we’ll see Randle early in this series. It might be tough for game 1, but if not, game 2 or 3. If he can already do some running, he’s getting pretty close and we have a few more days.
Jalen Johnson was terrific last night for ATL.
***RE: Randle, Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s doing some running, shooting, scripting, that sort of thing.”***
Presumably, Randle is also practicing limping in from the tunnel to a standing ovation for game 7.
I think that whether we beat the Cavs or not will be largely about confidence.
That is why I don’t mind the lack of home court advantage that much as you are just trying to get a split of the first two games on the road. Looking back at the Atlanta series, losing the first game at home (by failing to get a stop on the last possession) was probably the key to subsequent semi-meltdown. This year a game 1 loss won’t be deja vu, and a win (with either no or less than 100% Julius) would be huge for confidence.
I’m kind of dreading the first time RJ does one of his slow motion forays to the basket and gets it thrown back in his face by Allen or Mobley. Probably about a minute into game 1.
Not an ideal team for RJ to be facing…
The issue with Jalen Johnson has always been his shooting/scoring. He’s young and talented enough where it shouldn’t worry anyone yet.
He can rebound and pass well enough where you can get away with him topping out as an okay scorer.
He could be longer, more skilled OG at some point.
This will be interesting because Thibs will have to minimize RJ’s minutes to win the series.
RJ is the worst 3pt shooter in the rotation (besides the centers) by a lot, and we will quite obviously have to make threes to loosen up the interior.
Grimes, Quick, Brunson, Hart, Randle, and Obi can all cut it, but RJ can’t.
If Thibs is smart, RJ will get a quick hook and then only come back out when CLE plays just one of their bigs. So like 15-20 min a game.
Damn, Jeremy Woo went to ESPN. Great for him, bad for KB posters who want to learn about draft prospects without paying a subscription.
The bigger issue if Randle is out isn’t the drop in defense and rebounding we’d get from playing Obi, it’s that RJ would presumably be the 2nd option and have the ball in his hands more often. Hopefully, Thibodeau is willing to have a quick hook for RJ if/when he starts shooting us out of a game.
“it’s that RJ would presumably be the 2nd option and have the ball in his hands more often.”
Agreed.
If Randle is out, the first thing I do is double Brunson and let RJ beat me from the outside. We really do need both Randle and Brunson.
Or maybe RJ will step up. It’s not impossible. He’s bad but he will randomly have like 10 game stretches where he’s really good. Maybe we get lucky!
I’m most worried about RJ fumbling us out of the game. A couple of dumb plays leading to lost possessions and the Cavs scoring could make all the difference in a playoff game.
For clarity, really bad shots and getting blocked at the rim when everyone in the arena and on TV knows it was coming count as fumbles in my book…
Random playoff related question.
So I do not have cable or hulu, youtube tv, etc. Game one is on ESPN. I do have the ESPN app on my apple tv where I can watch live events, so I should be good there.
However, the game time of 5pm central coincides right with the start of dinner and bedtime routine for my little one. I think I can watch replays on that app but I’m not totally sure.
I’m trying to figure out if I get my wife to handle all of that (and make it up to her somehow) or if I just stay off my phone/internet until the game is over and watch the replay. What I don’t want to happen is think I can watch the replay and then find out I can’t. Anyone have experience with this?
swift…i believe you can watch replays on both espn+ and nba.com (if you have league pass)…have done that on my phone…not sure about on the tv though…and that was regular season games…can you dvr it?
jeremy woo does great work.. i presume he’s filling mike schmitz shoes even though he’s more of an insider like givony is… good to see him moving on up in the world though…. he’s been toiling away on the hs circuit covering all the things nobody really wants to for years…
I don’t know. I gotta figure this out! It’s stressing me out right now LOL
This says you can choose the watch from beginning option:
https://help.espnplus.com/espnplus_hc
Should let you see the whole game as soon as you’re ready, shouldn’t even need to wait till it’s over. Maybe test it out on the games tonight.
I know leaguepass has it. Btw, league pass is basically useless for the playoffs
Tylor Megill is throwing 92 MPH fastballs that he can’t locate
“I’m trying to figure out if I get my wife to handle all of that (and make it up to her somehow) ”
I’m 64 and have never been married. There’s probably a reason for that. So take this with a grain of salt. That’s my move. I’d bribe her. 🙂
It’s OK, Strat. I’ll be 59 in a couple of weeks and have been married enough times for both of us. I’ll just leave it at that. 🙂
When it comes to dating, follow RJs lead. Volume counts more than efficiency. And even if you don’t get the W(edding) you’re gonna score a lot.
“I’d bribe her.”
An extra long foot rub during this week’s episode of Ted Lasso it is!
*”Btw, league pass is basically useless for the playoffs”*
Wait, what? I think you get all the games, no?
You don’t get games from ESPN or TNT unless you’re overseas.
You can watch replays the next day if you miss it though.
i don’t think league pass has rights to playoff games now that I think about it…
ah, yes. i’m on vpn. fingers crossed.
VPN works. So should *ahem* “alternative” streams
Having the ESPN+ app doesn’t mean you can watch games on ESPN. You still need a cable or streaming subscription that carries ESPN to be able to watch ESPN thru the app.
*** I gotta figure this out! It’s stressing me out right now LOL***
I see two options:
1) Fake your own abduction. (The upside to this is that you can prolong your “escape” until the Knicks are conveniently eliminated. The downside is that if it goes on too long your wife may remarry).
Or
2) Discover that life is easier if you don’t watch Knick games.
“2) Discover that life is easier if you don’t watch Knick games.”
I’m 45 and 20 plus years into this fandom. This is not an option anymore LOL.
@Swift: “However, the game time of 5pm central coincides right with the start of dinner and bedtime routine for my little one.”
I say make watching the game a family event, so your little one has a vague memory of seeing that first playoff game against Cleveland back in 2023 when the Knicks won it all after decades of misery. And, of course, doing so would convey a nice street cred bonus when your child is posting on KB in 20 years about the incinerated pick and Cam Reddish 😉
imagine if there were a
sp0rts
hub
with a very cool dot fan after it
that you use with a VPN
I’m just imagining things but that would be cool
With Randle playing, RJ is going to see limited minutes and will be cheering with Obi on the bench while the series is being decided.
I’m confident that IQ, Brunson and Randle will bring it and go toe to toe offensively with their backcoourt +Mobley. Same with Mitch/iHart battling with Allen. I’m thinking DM makes one game winning play in the crunch and Brunson/Randle make one too. Stars will be a net zero and cancel each other out.
For the Knicks the X-factor is Quentin Grimes and his efficiency from three while chasing spida around the gym.
For Cleveland is Cariss LeVert & Cedi Osman matching IQ and RJ production + Okoro matching Josh Hart intensity and hustle. This is why I like the Knicks odds. Just sucks that game 7 is in Cleveland.
I say make watching the game a family event, so your little one has a vague memory of seeing that first playoff game against Cleveland
Facts!!! – Tell the little one that they can stay up late as long as they root for the team of superheros in blue & orange because the’re the good guys.
i think you can buy a month of sling including tnt/espn for like $20
For me, IQ is the key. He’s our most mercurial talent, IMO.
If IQ really has leveled up *permanently*, we have a chance to go deep in these playoffs, and he will endear himself to Knicks fans … forever.
fwiw…Lowe gave IQ the 6th man nod in his column today…excerpt below:
Once Quickley’s 3-point shooting normalized, he sprinted shoulder-to-shoulder with Brogdon. Quickley outshot Brogdon on 2s, and is just about Brogdon’s equal as a playmaker — more chaotic, but just as effective. He’s a better defender — almost impossible to screen, arms in passing lanes, a sneering annoyance. Quickley is one of the league’s best rebounding guards.
Where Brogdon adds a jolt of something different to Boston’s identity, Quickley is definitional to New York’s in a way that is hard to quantify. This New York team would not look, play, feel, or even sound the way it does without Quickley. The speed and energy of the game change the second he steps on the floor.
The Knicks were plus-6.2 points per 100 possessions with Quickley on the floor, and minus-2 when he sat. Boston was a bit better with Brogdon on the bench, but the Celtics were really good in pretty much all alignments. If you’re into minutes as a tie-breaker, Quickley logged about 600 more than Brogdon.
I’m excited to watch this team and a lot of hte players play in this series but I am absolutely ecstatic to see how IQ performs. He seems like a big stage kind of player and I remember he had some nice moments in the Atlanta series as a rookie. Absolutely, if he has leveled up, we might make some real noise.
Cleveland has a better record but our team post HART and post IQ surge is probably equal or better than Cleveland (if Randle is healthy).
With all the anti-IQ propaganda circulating for 6moty, it’s become obvious that IQ is much better as a starter than as a reserve, potentially reflecting what he’s capable when handed more of the offense.
Is it time to reevaluate the Quickley vs Bane argument?
IQ (21 games as a starter)
38.6 mpg
22.6 ppg
5.4 rpg
5.1 apg
22.3 USG
60.5 TS%
Bane
31.7 mpg
21.5 ppg
5.0 rpg
4.4 apg
26.1 USG
60.6 TS%
Bane still looks better if we were to do the math and control for IQs absurd minute total, but it’s not as far off as we used to think.
IQ is almost exactly a year younger than Bane. If we compare same age seasons then IQs starter stats, eyeballing a per minute comp, are almost identical.
A redo of the 2020 draft would be fascinating. Edwards probably still goes number 1 but after that I don’t know. Probably either Hali or Lamelo, and then you’re looking at Bane/IQ 4/5 in some order. Maybe maxey in there too.
LOS ANGELES KNICKERBLOGGERS
Hubert and I will be meeting on Saturday to watch the Knicks game, probably here in Long Beach although I’m amenable to a change of venue if more of you want to join. Our esteemed colleague CDiggy will not be able to join us but we are hoping that equally esteemed colleagues Donnie Walsh and/or geo might want to come hang and cheer on the Bockers. And of course if there are any other SoCal Knickerbloggers that I have overlooked, please feel free to chime in.
Donnie? Geo? What say you, gents?
Donnie watches games?
I wish I could make it
IQ is currently 4th in this year’s EPM amongst his draft class—behind Hali, Bane, & Ant (in order).
He’s just ahead of Maxey & LaMelo.
Keep in mind there’s a meaningful age difference between some of these players.
Vassell, well liked here at draft time, is tied for 17th with Obi. His defense drags him down quite a bit, the opposite of what everyone assumed. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if his numbers are largely due to SAS sucking this year.
If we’re planning watch parties I’ll be in Baltimore for game 1 and NYC for game 2.
ESPN writers think it will be a six or seven game series and predict a Cavs win by 13 to 4. Only Jerry Bembry, Nick Friedell, Jorge Sédanos and Ramona Shelburne pick the Knicks to win in 7, 7, 7, and 6 games, respectively.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36149468/nba-playoffs-2023-experts-picks-play-every-first-round-series
Quickly has much longer arms than Bane.
KB consensus on who to root for tonight? I have decades of loathing for Chicago. Is there any Knick-worthy reason to bury it deep down?
I kind of enjoy Caruso. Very Hart like energy.
And the Lonzo situation creates some sympathy for them.
I just want to see better basketball than what I saw last night.
howdy jk, sounds like fun…I’m kind of a maybe at the moment though, got the boys over this weekend…I’m not sure if I’ll be able to cut away from the house for some hours…
got to see if daughter will be around, she can take them to the movies for the afternnon…
dang…i wish there was a NorCal KB fan club…lonely here in the Bay…
Chicago losing makes no difference to Dallas’ pick, right?
“Chicago losing makes no difference to Dallas’ pick, right?”
Was asking for this reason. I’ve lost track of the various permutations.
Also, any Knicks fans in ATX? BBQ and Knicks sweep sounds pretty good 😉
Did not see this coming. Caruso has been huge
Lavine. Wow
Nice jam by derozan
Only thing that could happen is a team jumping the Mavs or divine intervention (Adam Silver does something)
Don’t like patbev….but he is a dawg
Wow what the fuck is this called foul, how is that a shooting foul????????
Thankfully Siakam missed 2 free throws because I’d be absolutely livid if I was a Chicago fan right now.
That was a terrible call, but it worked in Chicago’s favor because the Raps can’t make free throws.
lol Raptors time to blow it up
man …i thought the bulls were going to roll over….donovan is an underrated coach…
I am not giving up the farm for OG.
I don’t know, if I were a betting man I’d be looking real hard at the odds of Chicago beating Miami…
I fully believe DeMar’s daughter made a material difference
Honestly, this game was worse than the Lakers/Wolves game to me. Raps were truly horrible the entire second half and still got it gifted to them at the end only to turn the gift down. And it was boring to watch too.
Pat Bev remains the king of the play-in games.
Honestly, good for Chicago. They were going to lose their pick, so at least now they’re not giving up a lottery pick if they can beat Miami.
No comment
And Toronto improved so much after the Poetl trade that I’m pretty confident they’ll be better next year, with a new coach (Nurse seems just checked out this season, planning his next big payday from another team).
Yeah, Toronto has to blow up this core, take whatever they can from Siakam, Anunoby and VanVleet and move on. Nobody ahead of them in the standings is getting worse next season and if they can’t even beat the Bulls in the play in, what’s the point?
Haven’t followed closely, but I think the Bulls have played pretty well recently. LaVine got healthy and stepped it up on offense.
They’re 5th in defense so if they get anything from their offense they should win.
As a very low stakes betting man, I will be betting on them (depending on the line)
This OKC team is fun, I’d like to see them in a full playoff series.
wow, some great young small forwards in the late game…
if you could choose – herb jones or josh giddey?
I take Giddey, don’t think Herb ever puts together enough of an offensive game
OKC has some ugly ass shooting forms.
Jaylin Williams going for the 10reb/10ast double-double
Very fun game!
Bruno finally gets rewarded for staying up late!
These teams are both better than the Wolves, Heat, Lakers, Bulls, and Raptors.
Wow!!
I have to say the CJ McCollum slip at the end brought some Vietnam flashbacks of the Lakers – Wolves ending Donnie, but overall a much more enjoyable game, so that’s a win!
It would also be fun to see both 10th seeds get into the playoffs, and I don’t think that’s unlikely.
Does anyone know anything about the Giddey/SGA relationship? Are they buddies or no?