🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

But you’re right, these games don’t matter (even though I don’t think Thibs realizes that based on his rotation). That’s why I wouldn’t be making major adjustments right now. This is basically extended practice.

In 4 of our losses, there was one common theme: we could not stop the opposing offense from efficiently scoring down the stretch. In Houston, it was in the paint with Sengun going to a bread and butter move over and over. With the Pacers, it was poor 3-pt defense augmented by Hali getting into the paint at will and either scoring or kicking out. In Cleveland, it was Garland and Mobley both having their way. With the Hawks it was Trae, Capela and the rookie clowning us.

Our 4th Q defense is putrid right now, and it’s not just defending the line.

I remember when Thibs went 20 games or so with Kemba and Fournier as starters and then perma-benched them. These games don’t mean a whole lot.

If these 20 games lead to Thibs perma-benching Mikal, I’m gonna be pretty upset. We invested a hell of a lot in him.

I guess I’ll keep doubting them as serious contenders until they go 82-0

after 20k minutes in the league including a few k with thibs, kat isn’t going to suddenly develop the cognitive reflexes and body discipline you need to play drop well as an nba 5. repetition isn’t magic. there is a reason tim connelly yeeted the whole 401k for a late prime sentinelle rather than go with kat at the 5. he’s an amazing offensive player. he can do some half decent things on defense against select lineups or with another rim protector behind him. but he’s not mastering the thibs drip and drop then or now.

This is what I was coming here to say and why I was wondering if the real plan was to play KAT next to Mitch (or at least the backup plan when the current plan fails).

It does seem odd that Thibs is just plugging the new guys into defensive roles they are not ideal for (KAT at the 5, Mikal at POA), but who knows, maybe they are working on other roles in practice? Or maybe Thibs really thinks he’s a gifted teacher and can make those guys solid in their new roles? idk. At least there will be some rim protection coming on the horizon eventually.

The Knicks have been an excellent defensive team under Tom Thibodeau exactly once: the famous Invisible Sixth Man season. And that seemed rather fluky to be completely honest.

I don’t think Thibs’ shit works as well as it used to back in the pre-everybody-shoots-threes days.

We had good defense last year when we were healthy. If you have JB, Randle and RJ as your top 3 guys in minutes I think it’s as simple as you’re not going to have a good defense unless you have a rare talent in the middle.