If you told me Bridges was struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome that would check out. Mostly it seems he is just missing some shots though he might normally make.

I’m not sure what’s going on with Bridges’ shooting, but there’s no downside to some rest. Last week I thought he tweaked something. I was actually rooting for him to have a minor injury that forced him to miss a few games just to freshen him up mentally and physically and allow him to take other games off here or there withut worrying about his iron man status.

Cap listed as Questionable for tonight. Maybe he’s finally getting a little rest against a team who, although tanking, likes to give us trouble, anyway. Check out the injury list for the Pacers:

Expected Lineup
PG A. Nembhard Ques
SG A. Nesmith Ques
SF Jarace Walker
PF O. Toppin Ques
C I. Zubac Ques

MAY NOT PLAY
G Q. Jackson Ques
G T. McConnell Ques
G A. Nembhard Ques
F A. Nesmith Ques
F M. Potter Ques
G B. Sheppard Ques
F O. Toppin Ques
C I. Zubac Ques
F P. Siakam Doubt

Expected Lineup
PG J. Brunson Ques
SG Josh Hart
SF Mikal Bridges
PF OG Anunoby
C K. Towns

MAY NOT PLAY
G J. Brunson Ques
G M. McBride Out

Some food for thought from P&T re: upcoming draft, hope we actually look for depth. I like a couple of these guys!

https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-draft-rumors-news/80392/five-prospects-knicks-fans-should-keep-a-close-eye-on-during-march-madness

Evans is a real prospect, Z, but he won’t be available by the time we pick. Morez Johnson and Swain should be available to us, and I like that they’re from “blueblood” successful college programs. Not really interested in Bidunga or Mara, except as flyers.

I see Bennett Stirtz (PG; Iowa) being mocked to us, in some places. Seems like Kolek but with lesser vision.

I kinda like Mara, and see a floor of Luke Kornet, and maybe a much higher ceiling. Seems like the kind of backup big that could help sooner than most draftees.

Good chance Evans is available when the Knicks pick. On offense seems like a Shamet clone . Not huge upside, solid plug and play player.

Who would be the best prospect to step into the role that Yabu was never able to fill for us (backup 4 who can hit threes here and there at a decent clip)?

Maybe Keyshawn Hall from Auburn, although even at 6-7/240 is more of a 3 than a 4. He can shoot, though.

Zuby is my guy. Blood in the ground. Ground and pound. Second coming of Mase or Oak. Great numbers. Love that guy.

Who would be the best prospect to step into the role that Yabu was never able to fill for us (backup 4 who can hit threes here and there at a decent clip)?

Diawara

2025 maybe Joshua Jefferson -Iowa State

If it’s just about threes only – his teammate Milan Momcilovic is elite at shooting

I’m in on Zuby as well. Could be Knicks’ answer to Beef Stew. Great motor, can guard on perimeter and block shots.

Diawara

Facts. Diawara just need to add 10-15 pounds of muscle and learn how to rebound on defense from KAT and on offense from Hart. However, I think he takes the next step and assumes Hart’s spot on the starting lineup next season.

That’s a 5 out starting lineup that forces centers to guard KAT + beast on defense.

There is so much uncertainty going into this offseason that it’s hard to pinpoint what the team will need. For example, if we can’t afford to pay Mitch (or decide not to keep him) then drafting a C makes more sense. If we keep Mitch and lose Mo, then drafting a big 3-and-D wing should be a priority. If we lose Shamet, then maybe a floor-spacing wing or big SG works.

Problem is the draft comes before free agency.

Who would be the best prospect to step into the role that Yabu was never able to fill for us (backup 4 who can hit threes here and there at a decent clip)?

Diawara

Yep; true, EB. And I co-sign on what Director said, too. Guess I didn’t think of Kool Mo D in the Yabu mold because their body types are pretty different…….but yeah, Mo can fit the bill.

I hate to say this, but I would prioritize keeping Diawara over re-signing Mitch unless Mitch can be brought back for a good price, ie, something similar to what he’s getting paid now.

Diawara is our best chance at adding a really good and young rotation player, maybe even starter, to our core. Considering his age and what he’s already shown us, his potential is sky high right now. He’s the type of diamond in the rough home run that a team hits that extends their contending window.

While his measurements, defense, work rate, 3 point shooting and passing are all elite for a 20yr old, his best attribute is his mental toughness. Kid is fearless. He’s more competetive that Wemby was at 20. Best 2 way prospect Knicks drafted since Patrick Ewing.

I don’t see us loosing Diawara. If he has a bad playoffs, he won’t get a top offer. If he has a good one, Leon will move pieces around to pay him. I also agree with what someone wrote a few days ago, that he’s come down to earth a bit.

Judging by his advanced metrics we probably have very little reason to worry about losing Mo.

Remember not so long ago when we thought that free agents would love to come to New York…….pretty much because it was New York, the Garden, exposure, great atmosphere, etc. And then we realized that it was not enough, because we kind of sucked?

Well, now we have the great atmosphere in New York *and* we’re pretty damn good. Free agents will want to come here now, and the Mitches and the Moes of the world who are already here will likely want to stay here, if at all possible!

All true, Doogie, except for the “kind of sucked” bit. We REALLY sucked.

Re: Mo. He’s doing things backwards. Usually guys of his archetype first learn to mix it up underneath before learning to shoot 3s and developing their outside game. He’s already done that, and now he needs to develop his other “big 4” skills such as rebounding, as Director already stated.

Re: tonight’s game. Does anyone think that when Indy realizes that Cap isn’t playing they’ll decide to play more of their “Questionable” guys and actually try to steal a win? Nope; me, either.

If they want to get the 2nd seed, they need to win the next 4 cupcake games + beat the Hornets on the road + beat Boston at home on April 9th.

Having homecourt advantage vs Boston makes it that we only have to win one game at TD Garden vs two. Therefore, the #2 seed changes the outcome odds materially.

Now Mitch is Questionable for tonight, and Jalen is Doubtful (which almost always means “out”). Surprised that they might be going small with Shamet/Hart/Bridges instead of starting Mo, but that could still change.

and a how do you to all…

not much to say lately, we’ll at least not much worth putting down and sharing…funny how many times i’ll ruminate on some stuff and process it by formatting my thoughts in to a post right here on good ol’ knickerblogger…just working things out…

wanted to say though how nice it is to just casually lurk here sometimes 🙃

one good personal growth moment, working on how to better manage folks around me whom may just have their own anxiety issues…

it’s a challenge…i’m stuffed full of my own words, so folks whom are having their own challenge of a leaky mind with many and more words pouring out, can be tough and a bit disorienting…figuring out how to curb that behavior, you know without being a total dick about it…

also, anxious energy on others is palpable thing to me, makes me want to start scratching and fidgeting my self…

my go to’s for that situation right now is to focus breathing, count, and grimace (very thinly disguised as a smile)…it sort of works…need to expand on my tool kit though…

I am wildly intrigued by Amari Allen, even though he’s in a bit of a slump rn.

6’8” freshman who has insane on-ball potential… Some of his his highlight drives look like moves Brunson would make but at half a foot taller.

The real question is can he be useful off ball since he might not solely be used as a primary creator. But he has striking long-term potential, which means we most likely won’t select him.

Golden State defeated Washington 125 to 117 last night so I guess their strategy of bringing players back for the easier game of their back rot back worked.

Golden State defeated Washington 125 to 117 last night so I guess their strategy of bringing players back for the easier game of their back rot back worked.

As long as they play everyone tomorrow night against Boston I’m happy

didn’t realize there were so many preseason baseball games (33 for the yanks)…talk about a sport that could stand to cut back on the number of games in a season…

Wow, geo, I didn’t know that, either (about the number of preseason games for MLB). Sounds excessive, *especially* for the guys who just played in the WBC for a couple/few weeks!

The yanks are coming through Phx to play the cubs in Mesa next week before they head up to SF to open against the giants…I got tix for next monday…looks like it might be over a hundred degrees at first pitch…gonna need a few cold brews for that one…

I’m annoyingly circling back to some cap minutia because it could be important.

This piece from Jonas Plaut says that another team can effectively steal Diawara from us by making him an offer with a starting salary above the TPMLE, because he’ll be a “Non-Bird RFA”:

If a team only has access to the TMLE, such as the Knicks, it would be unable to match an offer sheet for a Non-Bird Free Agent if the starting salary exceeds the value permitted by the TMLE or the Non-Bird exception.

Prior to reading this, my understanding was that the only limitations on RFA matching rights were potential hard caps, which we won’t be operating under unless we make an aggregation trade and/or use the TPMLE.

Now, I still think this most likely ends with Diawara re-signing for a 4 year deal for $11M or so (the max we can give him with non-Bird Rights, maybe with a PO). But can anyone clarify whether or not we’re shit out of luck if someone offers him a starting salary one penny over the TPMLE?

But can anyone clarify whether or not we’re shit out of luck if someone offers him a starting salary one penny over the TPMLE?

yeah he’s non bird so we need an exception to exceed 120pct of his deal and the largest (possibly) available will be the tpmle barring a major shakeup. above that and we can’t match. arenas doesn’t protect against it bc of its much higher ntpmle first year cap (unless we get and stay below the first apron).

Thanks pt, so yeah a sufficiently dedicated team could take Diawara from us with a TPMLE+ offer. We also won’t have the TPMLE itself if we get into the second apron, and if we trade for Giannis we’ll be hard-capped at the first.

Still think it gets done. Where else can he break his fast with the mayor?

The mayor thing might count for more than we think.

Alvie is starting tonight instead of Shamet!!!

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