Knicks Morning News (2025.05.04)

102 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2025.05.04)”

Who’s in a better position — assets and cap wise — to add a bench player or two in the offseason, Denver or NY?

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44938717/nba-draft-asset-rankings-stacking-all-30-teams-pick-collections

Thanks, Pepper. It’s not the whole picture though.

Who’s in a better position — assets and cap wise — to add a bench player or two in the offseason, Denver or NY?

Complicated question.

Denver has the full taxpayer MLE but has been hesitant to spend money. They have no real pick assets, not even in the 2nd rd, but do have DaRon Holmes coming back from injury, who was the #22 pick last season.

The Knicks potentially have part of the taxpayer MLE, but probably choose to keep Payne and/or Shamet instead. We also have a couple 2nd Rd picks to trade, the WAS 2nds could be valuable in a small deal.

So probably the Nuggets because they can outright sign a player and have DaRon Holmes returning.

We need one of Dadiet, McCullars, Watson, Beauchamp, Kolek, or Hukporti to develop. If it’s Hukporti, then we could potentially move Mitch. I also haven’t given up on the kid overseas.

From Jay King:

“Expect New York head coach Tom Thibodeau to have a few new wrinkles prepared.”

This made me laugh. Unless he means on his forehead…

So probably the Nuggets because they can outright sign a player and have DaRon Holmes returning.

With all due respect, I am curious how the number 22 pick with a torn Achilles Tendon is more valuable moving forward than the number 25 pick who is 3 years younger and the number 34 pick who has at least shown one advanced NBA skill, passing?

Especially since Denver’s ownership (one of the richest families in the world) has shown no interest in spending money to keep the best team in the world together.

Honestly, I don’t know what to expect in round 2. I wanna have faith that the guys are gonna step up and play more focused, and that Thibs has found something new to throw at them. I do know what I don’t expect though. I don’t expect us to get manhandled 4 out of 5 games in this series. If there is ever a series where Brunson absolutely has to use every weapon available, it’s this one. I don’t wanna see Brunson average 32 a game. I do want him shooting more efficiently and still getting 8 assists. But he needs to keep KAT, Bridges, and OG involved this series. Specifically, I need to see he and KAT average no less than 24ppg. If it ends up being Brunson at 28 and KAT at 24 while OG and Bridges are consistently giving 18 and playing solid defense, I won’t complain at all. I am not ok with this somewhat freezing out KAT. For as great as Brunson is, KAT is our best weapon out there- given what he can do as a center. If your team has KAT as a #2, your offense should be humming most games.

USE THEM TO YOUR ADVANTAGE THIBS AND BRUNSON. Do not make the game harder than it should be. We have weapons.

“Expect New York head coach Tom Thibodeau to have a few new wrinkles prepared.”

I read that he is switching to a blue dry erase marker.

“Wrinkles within our control” Limit their 3 Pointers, nothing gets the Celtics going emotionally more than made threes – especially Tatum. Read the darn scouting report, as much as it may look like Tatum’s going to the basket, he’s taking a step back three. High hands up and be at or in front of the three point line on Porzingis or Tatum, not steps behind. Crash the offensive boards and get more possessions, and limit turnovers. Move the ball and the players on offense — Hart and Brunson and to a lesser extent Bridges can all penetrate and kick. OG, Mikal, Hart and Brunson have all shown themselves capable of smart movements off the ball. Iso pound Brunson will get us nowhere in this series.

It is very, very hard to think that it can get any better than a gentleman’s sweep against Boston.

Everything we’ve seen so far speaks of a team that will probably roll over and die as soon as Boston goes on a 9-0 run thanks to three consecutive trifectas, not because it doesn’t have a soul (which, um, not sure. There’s too many complacency all around the team) but because nobody has shown to have even a plan 1B.

But just to be there is something. Maybe suddenly things will click and we’ll become near unstoppable, as Italy did in the soccer World Cup in ‘94.

I don’t expect to see any of Precious, Shamet, or Payne back next year.

I think that all of Dadiet, Kolek, Huk, and McCullar are trade bait, would be surprised if they are all still here on opening day.

I would not be surprised if at least one of our top 7 (starting 5 plus Mitch and Deuce) are gone prior to the start of next year.

I think Thibs bought himself at least the start of next year by getting to the second round again so long as it is not a total Celts wipeout.

Hey Farfa!

I think this series will go how the health of the Celtics (and the Knicks) goes.

The one guy they can’t afford to lose is Tatum. Beyond him, I think they can lose at least one starter other than Tatum and still be better than us. But if Jrue aggravates his hammy and Brown’s knee acts up, and Brunson’s ankle holds up and there are no further injury concerns for us, it could be a very competitive series.

I suspect Thibs’s job security is actually dependent on Brunson’s comfort level, so I really wonder what Jalen thinks of his coach.

Entire quarters go by without even one pass or successful screen that gains us any advantage on offense, but, as the meme goes, maybe Brunson thinks, “this is fine.”

Yes, Mikal has grumbled, and maybe KAT is due for some complaining, but is the Captain unhappy? IDK.

Thanks EBW and BPL.

So the Knicks have a bit of space to maneuver under the cap, low level draft capital, and last year’s prospects. I’m curious to see what Leon does with this.

But if Jrue aggravates his hammy and Brown’s knee acts up, and Brunson’s ankle holds up and there are no further injury concerns for us, it could be a very competitive series.

Well yes. After all, last year we were way better than Indy and injuries completely derailed our run.

I think Brunson loves the way things are. He’s the center of the universe on offense and Thibs doesn’t seem to mind. I think Towns likes the way thing are also. With Brunson as #1 it takes a lot of the heat off him as long as they win. They’ll deny it, but I think the occasional rumors of minor issues in the locker room are OG and Bridges not happy with their roles. They both know they are capable of more and both take a little heat occasionally for not producing enough (more so Mikal).

I think our defense is the major issue of the series. If we can figure out a way to mitigate their ability to attack Brunson I think we can be competitive. I think Towns will do fine with KP. KP may get hot from 3 in a couple of games, but other that that I think Towns will handle him and get hot from 3 a couple of games also. If our offense stagnates into ISO Brunson though, I think we are doomed.

as long as they win.

Exactly. This is the sticking point. In the (unlikely ;-)) event we don’t win it all this year, Brunson risks heading further down the path of so many other quality stars who never win a championship.

The kindest narrative would be that the team never surrounded Jalen with the right pieces. The critical narrative is that he never learned how to sacrifice his game and get his teammates involved.

At the end of this season, I feel like the team needs to choose whether Thibs is one of the right pieces. And much of that choice BTS prolly depends on Brunson’s opinion.

PS – I don’t think the Celtics fear iso-Brunson beating them at all. If that’s what we do, it is going to get frustrating and ugly very quickly (for us) and make the above choice — To Thibs or not to Thibs — stark indeed.

Boston is #1 in the league in 3PAr. We are 28th.

How’s it goink

With all due respect, I am curious how the number 22 pick with a torn Achilles Tendon is more valuable moving forward than the number 25 pick who is 3 years younger and the number 34 pick who has at least shown one advanced NBA skill, passing?

Especially since Denver’s ownership (one of the richest families in the world) has shown no interest in spending money to keep the best team in the world together.

Denver may very well decide not to spend the money, but they have the option.

I’m also a lot higher on Holmes, who should be ready to contribute as soon as he’s healthy, than any of the Knicks young players:

– Dadiet is nowhere close to ready

– Kolek would replace Payne who is inconsistent but very good, Holmes replaces DeAndre Jordan who needs to retire

– Hukporti has something, but not more than Mitch

– I’m highest on McCullar but he can’t shoot and has a terrible injury history

I guess we’ll know how i’ts going in acouple of weeks.

All I know is I can’t wait for the first “Jayson Tatum…threeeeeeeeeee!” from the Boston PA guy.

Denver may very well decide not to spend the money, but they have the option.

They may have the ‘option’, but they have a history of turning down that option for serious rotation players Bruce Brown (28 mpg) and KCP (31 mpg) on their championship team. The Walmart folks seem to think they can replace tested championship rotation players on the cheap from another sweat shop in China.

There’s a pretty big difference between the $5.7M taxpayer MLE and the $20M+ before tax of KCP & Brown.

They need to add at least 1 player to get to 14 anyways, so the total add is closer to $3.5M.

They’re not getting the best player for that value but they’re not giving up another viable player to get them either. We need to give up both Shamet and Payne just to use our MLE, which I find even less likely, though it’s possible Payne gets a better offer.

Are you guys convinced Dadiet is a bust? I’m not so sure. When he got minutes in the beginning of the year it seemed like he has some skills.

Are you guys convinced Dadiet is a bust? I’m not so sure. When he got minutes in the beginning of the year it seemed like he has some skills.

Why would anyone think he is a bust? Seriously?

Because Thibs didn’t play an 18 year old who sat out the middle half of the season with a foot/toe injury?

I don’t think they drafted him last summer with the idea he was going to be and immediate impact rotation piece at 18-19. They drafted him with the idea he had the skill set and potential to be a good player in a couple of years. We shall see if they are correct.

With their history of trading out of draft slots, I can only assume someone on the staff thinks he has long term high end potential.

Dadiet’s g-league numbers aren’t great. I’ll limit them to the regular season because they’re even worse if you include the tipoff tournament, so let’s chalk that up to adjusting to the gleague

He put up 15ppg in the regular season (consider that Jacob Toppin and Warren basically doubled this and aren’t considered NBA players).

He shot 32% from 3, and he really needs this skill to be elite. His ft% shows promise though.

He’s at 0.6 stls & 0.6 blks, which is pretty atrocious.

He averaged 5.4 rebs, which again isn’t great for a player who projects as a PF because he’s probably too slow to play the 3. It’s passable if he can shoot well enough.

BBA, I’m happy to book your over bet on 89 wins for the NYY!?

Who’s in a better position — assets and cap wise — to add a bench player or two in the offseason, Denver or NY?

It’s probably Denver just bc whoever they get will love playing with Jokic and he makes everyone better (even Russell Westbrook looks good sometimes), whereas whoever we get Thibs will tell to just stand in the corner watching Brunson run ISO until he misses a rotation and gets sent to the dungeon.

As James Hetfield famously said: you know it’s sad but true.

I suspect Thibs’s job security is actually dependent on Brunson’s comfort level, so I really wonder what Jalen thinks of his coach.

Thibs employs Brunson’s dad, so I don’t think he should be consulted at all. Leon needs to see what everyone else does and just make the call.

I think Towns will do fine with KP

Towns’ job won’t be guarding KP it will be navigating Boston’s creative screening. In the first two games they simply abused him by screening the screener and he was completely lost. Notably they stopped doing that in the last two games because they didn’t want him to figure anything out.

Dadiet’s g-league numbers aren’t great. I’ll limit them to the regular season because they’re even worse if you include the tipoff tournament, so let’s chalk that up to adjusting to the gleague

He also only played in 13 games. I thought it was a bit odd they didn’t have him down more often because he wasn’t playing with the big teaml

He also only played in 13 games. I thought it was a bit odd they didn’t have him down more often because he wasn’t playing with the big teaml

Yeah, I’m not trying to say he’s a bust yet, but I’m not considering him an addition to next year’s roster. The bright side is that he still hasn’t turned 20 and doesn’t turn 20 for almost 3 more months.

Something off about the second round starting before the first round has ended

He also only played in 13 games. I thought it was a bit odd they didn’t have him down more often because he wasn’t playing with the big teaml

He was down for seven weeks from the beginning of January to the end of February with a great toe/foot injury and with the history of the Knick’s medical staff, who knows how ‘healthy’ (or what percent of healthy) he was when he returned?

Since I batted 100% in round 1 here are round 2 predictions:

Cavs over Pacers in 7
Thunder over Nuggets in 6
Rockets over Timberwolves in 7
… F it, Knicks over Celtics in 6 (emotional pick, rationally I’d flip this)

johnlockesays:
April 18, 2025 at 13:53
Celtics in 5
Cavs in 5
Knicks in 6
Pacers in 6

OKC in 5
Houston in 7
Wolves in 6
Nuggest in 7

Something off about the second round starting before the first round has ended

Yeah the placement of this game just feels weird, just thrown in front of the main event most people are waiting for.

TJ is fun to watch

Pacers O ball doesn’t stick … much harder to guard

Let’s see what Atkinson is made of. Carlisle should have a huge experience advantage.

Didn’t realize Garland had a toe injury issue.

Wouldn’t mind seeing a certain starting guard out tomorrow night…

Let’s see what Atkinson is made of. Carlisle should have a huge experience advantage.

Looks like Carlisle waited about three possessions too long for that TO.

Pacers having a Knicksian meltdown

Whatever happens the rest of the series, the Pacers have already made Miami look bad.

Now let’s hope we don’t make Orlando look good.

When did Garlard hurt his toe?

the Pacers have already made Miami look bad.

Miami was never good, they were the 10th seed with a losing record

That block looked great but will be overturned on review. Foul to the body.

Why the heck are the Warriors on at 830

Why the heck are the Warriors on at 830

You want it to be later?

I want it to be ending now rather than the Cavs game.

Shocked that challenge wasn’t successful.

Ohhh

This is a good game.

I never thought I’d find myself rooting for the Pacers, but I am in this case.

Pacers shooting 54% from 3, Cleveland shooting 24% lmao

Boy i wish we had an actual offense instead of just doing exactly what the opponent wants all game long. Feels bad watching the Pacers put up a fight against the class of the league while knowing we’ll be down 20+ by halftime tomorrow.

Why the heck are the Warriors on at 830

Silver’s league

Good game, but I don’t see anyone blaming Thibs. What is wrong with you? Indy is shooting 56%% from long distance! Fire Thibs!

Feels bad watching the Pacers put up a fight against the class of the league

Based on a great regular szn

Most people think okc or the Celtics will win the title

Knicks Pacers in the Conference Finals gonna be a fun series.

I was actually thinking a le and would win the title. Maybe I’ll change my mind after this, but it’s only one game.

Shit I was planning on watching the Knicks game tomorrow night but Pags said we’ll be down 20 at halftime.

Oh wait he’s never right about anything…

I was waiting the entire season for the Cavs to cool down from long distance and it wouldn’t happen. Well, it happened at the worst moment. Lol.

No Garland is a big deal, but this is the first real opponent the Cavs are playing

Is this another version of Mitchell’s Utah Jazz? Time will tell

The announcer just said “they can taste it here in Cleveland “. Does he mean they are eating dirt?

Getting the “others” going in the playoffs is so important. Pacers had 6 players in double digits and Halliburton has double digit assists. Brunson will get his – if we are beating the Celtics it’s going to be b/c at least 3 of KAT, OG, Bridges and Hart are involved offensively, which gets them mentally more involved defensively. If Brunson goes off for 35 and 4 assists, chances are it’s a blowout

So weird that when one team shoots 53% from 3 and the other shoots 24% the team that shoots 53% almost always wins.

The key is how they got the shots. Player and ball movement. They created a lot of open, good shots.

We could easily lose to Boston while shooting 53% from 3 because we’ll take half their number of attempts

Feels like the Rockets win

But, I’m taking the Warriors

rockin’ with the rockets…

Warriors are in big trouble if Draymond hitting threes is half their offense.

Was wondering when Looney would replace Post…

That was a sick pass by Curry

4 point deficit for Houston feels insurmountable.

Curry has 0 points and your down 10…

This Houston offense makes the Knicks look like the Duncan-Kawhi Spurs.

Also notice that both teams are running a lot of zone instead of mindlessly playing drop.

I take it back

Thibs would rather die than play zone.

Losing to Buddy Hield got to be rough

The Buddy Hield game?

Yeah this one is over

I will have what Buddy is having….

Amen looks like he will be a really good player…

Funny how Draymond never flings one of those “accidental” elbows at Steven Adams face, eh.

It’s true. I can’t think of a more physically imposing player. Mase?

Adams, with those tattoos, is about as scary as you get in the NBA

I think Thibs doesn’t play zone because it can hurt your rebounding. There’s no question, rebounding is a big priority for him.

Assuming they can’t get Giannis, Houston should go hard after Durant. He’s exactly what they need.

Wow Sengun has not impressed. Super weak takes to the basket …. makes Towns look like a bull in the post

yep, sengun is playing this game 7 like he has some other plans already scheduled for next week, not basketball related, and he doesn’t want to break them…

Incredibly dumb clear path foul from FVV

leaving these playoffs this year it looks like Thompson is the most promising young player the rockets have…

Rockets over Timberwolves in 7

I feel like your predictions for the second round won’t be quite as good as the first

Adams has been rated second most scary player by the league for a lot of years. There’s an MMA fighter (James Johnson, maybe?) who always gets first, but he never plays. People say that Adams’s strength is crazy – you can’t move him.

good on the pacers for slowing up the cavs’ season roll…if haliburton plays at that level, watch out cleveland…

can the nuggets win 2 games against the thunder in the next series, probably not…

they probably have a better chance though than the warriors have against the wolves…

Adams is generally well respected around the league for his sense of humor, down-to-earth personality and humility.

On 14 December 2018, playing against the Denver Nuggets he received praise for catching his opponent Mason Plumlee after Plumlee jumped to contest a layup and fell over Adams. Despite having an uncontested shot, Adams chose to drop the ball and catch Plumlee, preventing a serious injury.

Now everyone go out and buy his autobiography Steven Adams: My Life, My Fight.

Adams is generally well respected around the league for his sense of humor, down-to-earth personality and humility.

Don’t forget that Adams also “understands more playoff basketball than Thibs,” as a sage once said (fire Thibs 1).

This was an impressive win by the Warriors and Steve Kerr who played his bench about 30 minutes total (fire Thibs 2) and got only 3 points from them (fire Thibs 3). 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Towns’ job won’t be guarding KP it will be navigating Boston’s creative screening. In the first two games they simply abused him by screening the screener and he was completely lost. Notably they stopped doing that in the last two games because they didn’t want him to figure anything out.

Facts.

Boston offensive system is built to hunt high percentage wide open threes from their players favorite spots. They tore up the whole league during last two years doing this so they have really mastered the nuances of cunning trickery and tactical acumen in executing this strategy. Trying to beat them playing their game is silly and will get Thibs fired.

Only way to force them to play different is to do what Orlando did after game 2 and switch every screen they run. This means leave JB and KAT on an island ready to be embarrased by Tatum and Brown most of the game. It forces Tatum to be an iso killer and drop 50, just to get them to break 100. Otherwise, you keep Tatum under 30 and Boston scores 120.