Comments on: Knicks Morning News (2024.11.29)

By: Kaminari

Kaminari — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:36:01 +0000

Mitch will probably never again give us more than 24ish minutes a game, but just having him available allows us to throw two very different looks at other teams, at least for this season. We probably need a more durable rim protector to pair with KAT going forwards.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:33:18 +0000

I’m not all that worried about Bridges. He is entitled to a period of adjustment to a new role with new teammates. I am already resigned to the fact that he was a massive overpay, like 2-3 unprotected picks too many, but alas, sunk cost at this point. But the way he’s playing, he wasn’t worth even the 2031 pick by itself. I expect that to change, but never to the point that it would justify the actual cost, both in terms of value or impact on future flexibility.

I am actually more worried about KAT’s defense at the 5. I also have seen nothing to convince me that we won’t miss Randle’s shot creation ability or that KAT or Mikal fills that void. I worry that our offense as is isn’t going to translate well enough in the playoffs to make up for KAT’s defensive issues. So, as E pointed out, it becomes a trade-off between playing Mitch (if he ever gets healthy) who brings a whole host of issues like hack-a-Mitch, or watching KAT flail around as opposing offenses target him. Unless Leon does something creative before the deadline.

In any case, I don’t think we can gauge the ceiling of this team in any meaningful until we get Precious and Mitch back and play the likes of the Thunder, Cavs and Celts.

By: Kaminari

Kaminari — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:19:01 +0000

Meanwhile, why are they waiting on Landry Shamet? As we learned with Julius, shoulder dislocations are generally associated with labrum tears and avoiding surgery comes with a substantially higher risk of re-injury. And it’s not like he injured it in a fall, it was a reach-in on D so it didn’t take as much to blow it out in the first place. I’m wondering when the next update will come. Not expecting good news, but who knows?

I tend to agree, even if he comes back 100% Landry Shamet is not going to move the needle much on this roster, while TJ Warren slots in more neatly and is ready to go now. Of course, I don’t know the cap intricacies very well so it’s entirely possible we can’t sign Warren because he has a higher vet minimum.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:09:47 +0000

Before he mangled his foot, TJ had two straight years of shooting over 40% from 3. Not at high volume (around 4 3PA/36) but over 400 attempts in that span.

He just turned 31, so for me it’s all about how much athleticism he has left. If he can get to 90+% of the athleticism he had at age 26, he’s an NBA rotation player. If not, whatever is working for him in the G-League is not going to translate to the NBA.

Meanwhile, why are they waiting on Landry Shamet? As we learned with Julius, shoulder dislocations are generally associated with labrum tears and avoiding surgery comes with a substantially higher risk of re-injury. And it’s not like he injured it in a fall, it was a reach-in on D so it didn’t take as much to blow it out in the first place. I’m wondering when the next update will come. Not expecting good news, but who knows?

By: Early Bird Writes

Early Bird Writes — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:58:20 +0000

Might be that we can’t waive an injured player. If we want Shamet as soon as possible, then we need the 14th man waivable and TJ hasn’t exactly been healthy.

It’s also possible we sign TJ once the prorated vet minimum fits in our space or we make a trade that saves space to be our 15th man.

I honestly think it’s just that Ryan can shoot (though we haven’t seen him do it) and TJ can’t.

TJ was good, but it’s been several years. Ryan sucks though.

By: Hubert

Hubert — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:46:31 +0000

I don’t understand the Warren thing. I thought we had to wait until we could fit his prorated minimum salary under the apron. But someone (E.B. I think) recently said we could call him up any time we’re just choosing Matt Ryan instead. If accurate, that’s rather daft.

By: gkhenman

gkhenman — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:38:35 +0000

If he is healthy, Warren is a proven commodity.

By: Early Bird Writes

Early Bird Writes — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:33:20 +0000

Unlike Phoenix we don’t have any draft picks so that cuts off a significant avenue of improvement.

We do have the Grizzlies 2nd Rd pick. It’s currently 54th. Just adding as a footnote, it will not fix our problems unless they’re cap related.

By: Early Bird Writes

Early Bird Writes — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:20:35 +0000

I’m not sure why Jacob Toppin is on the roster at this point. Also, McCullar has potential for next year.

Toppin is on a 2-way and can’t be replaced by a player with more than 3yrs experience.

Toppin averaged 20 & 8.5 as a rookie during last year’s g-league regular season. 27 & 7 is better, but I’m not sure it’s so much better that it screams NBA rotation player.

By: ptmilo

ptmilo — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:06:39 +0000

I don’t think it’s entirely about this, but I did notice earlier this week that his conversion rate in the second and fourth quarters is about 7.5% lower than it is in the first and third. The reason I think that’s relevant is because, for some reason, Bridges’ regular rotation sees him play the entire first and third, then stay out there to start the second and fourth quarters. To say this is rare would be the understatement of the century. NOBODY does this, and for good reason. It needs to stop right now.

don’t follow this. bridges shooting on 2pa and 3pa by q:
1. 62.8% 23.3%
2. 70.7% 22.0%
3. 47.0% 41.0%
4. 52.7% 35.1%

it’s fine to hate his minute distribution ab initio, but if you’re finding validation from those splits you’re seeing gods in the stars.