(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 7:29:34 PM)
From the outside, it certainly didn’t look very good.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 7:03:08 PM)
Former NBA stars Walt Frazier, Shaquille O’Neal and John Starks approve of the Knicks hiring David Fizdale as their new head coach.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 6:44:40 PM)
Charles Oakley said Tuesday that Madison Square Garden security footage from his 2017 altercation with security guards exonerates him and will be presented to a judge during a hearing in his civil lawsuit against MSG executive chairman and chief executive officer James Dolan.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 3:31:00 PM)
“This is quite humbling to be sitting here today with you guys,” David Fizdale said. “I’m so honored to be the head coach of the New York Knicks.”
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 1:33:47 PM)
David Fizdale said he chose the Knicks because he likes the challenge of building a sustained winner in New York.
[NYDN] Knicks introduce David Fizdale as new head coach (Tuesday, May 08, 2018 9:39:29 PM)
The Knicks on Tuesday introduced David Fizdale as their new heach coach.
[NYDN] Knicks front office, owner must give David Fizdale room to coach (Tuesday, May 08, 2018 9:35:45 PM)
David Fizdale has a tough job ahead of him.
[NYDN] Steve Mills reveals Knicks prefer a wing player in NBA draft (Tuesday, May 08, 2018 9:24:07 PM)
Steve Mills provided the first glimpse of what the Knicks are hoping to achieve in the draft next month.
[NYDN] Rick Brunson’s attorney refutes misconduct allegations (Tuesday, May 08, 2018 4:05:36 PM)
Brunson’s attorney vehemently denied allegations that the former Knicks guard had improper conduct toward women.
[NYDN] Charles Oakley: Security video from MSG will ‘be trouble for NBA’ (Tuesday, May 08, 2018 11:04:59 AM)
Charles Oakley said there is security tape from Madison Square Garden the night he was escorted and banned that proves he did nothing wrong.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 9:42:04 PM)
David Fizdale was standing outside of the entrance to Madison Square Garden under a marquee that announced his arrival. “Welcome David Fizdale, New York Knicks Head Coach,” it read in lights. As photographers clicked their cameras and Fizdale posed with a basketball, a pot-bellied passerby offered his quick assessment. “Good luck. You’ll need it,” he…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 7:36:33 PM)
Jeff Hornacek is gone, but his draft night views are not. Last month, Hornacek said he would like to see the Knicks select a small forward with their lottery pick as they’ve yet to fill the void left by Carmelo Anthony. Knicks president Steve Mills suggested the same thing Tuesday on MSG Network — with…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 6:58:24 PM)
Center Kyle O’Quinn did nothing to dispel the notion the Knicks have hired a head coach who will have a stronger connection to the players than Jeff Hornacek did. That was a requirement mandated by team management. It’s unclear if O’Quinn will ever play for new coach David Fizdale, as he has an opt-out clause…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 6:00:13 PM)
Back in September, when Knicks team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry flanked then-coach Jeff Hornacek, a prime topic discussed with the media was how the team would develop a “contagious” defensive mindset. That was what they said. Either somebody lied or the team never got the memo. So Tuesday at the Garden,…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 5:17:15 PM)
Please forgive us if we’re a tad cynical about all this, if maybe we felt more than a subtle twinge of déjà vu. Knicks president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry met the media and spoke of the interview process to find the one perfect coaching human to transform Madison Square Garden from a basketball…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 2:11:27 PM)
Among the bazillion and a half topics David Fizdale was asked to discuss at his Knicks introductory press conference at the Garden on Tuesday was the subject of the team’s three young point guards… “Guards,” he said. OK, so… “Guards,” Fizdale said with even more emphasis. Don’t think point guards or shooting guards or off-guards…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 2:05:41 PM)
Get ready for a full season without Kristaps Porzingis, Knicks fans, Walt “Clyde” Frazier predicts. The legendary Knick isn’t expecting to see the 7-foot-3 Latvian on the floor after tearing the ACL in his left knee Feb. 6 and undergoing surgery a week later. “I don’t see him playing next year,” the MSG Network analyst…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 2:04:19 PM)
Knick great Charles Oakley branded team owner James Dolan a liar on Tuesday, and claimed a security tape from the night he was dragged out of the Garden — with the video soon to go public — will back up his claims. Dolan had Oakley thrown out of the Garden during a Knicks game in…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 12:22:34 PM)
Jay Wright gave the Knicks the Seinfeld “it’s not you, it’s me” line. When the Villanova coach’s agent, Carl Hirsch, told him the Knicks had expressed interest in talking to him about their then-vacant head-coaching position, Wright was flattered. However, he told his agent to tell the Knicks thanks, but no thanks. “It’s not that…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 12:03:26 PM)
Former Knicks chief Pat Riley doesn’t normally like to help the Garden, but made an exception for David Fizdale. Knicks president Steve Mills checked with Fizdale’s best reference — Riley — and the former Knicks coach gave his old team a lot of assurances Fizdale’s problems with the Grizzlies were an aberration. During Tuesday’s introductory…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 8:08:07 AM)
New Knicks coach David Fizdale, in his introductory press conference Tuesday, acknowledged he messed up with Grizzlies star Marc Gasol and guaranteed it won’t happen again. Fizdale said he has spoken to leadership gurus in various industries since the Gasol feud spoiled his only head-coaching stint, leading to his November dismissal, early in his second…
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 7:24:23 AM)
The Knicks not only introduced a new head coach Tuesday, they introduced their power structure. At a ceremony at the Garden, the Knicks formally welcomed David Fizdale as their new coach, who emphasized he is not in this alone. Being flanked by president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry, Fizdale praised his new bosses and…
[NYTimes] N.B.A. Playoffs: Rockets and Warriors Both Head to Conference Finals (Wednesday, May 09, 2018 4:52:55 AM)
With easy wins over the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans, Houston and Golden State will now face off to decide the West.
[NYTimes] On Pro Basketball: This Was Supposed to Be the Raptors’ Year. What Now? (Tuesday, May 08, 2018 4:51:13 PM)
They had the best record in the Eastern Conference and a new approach designed for playoff success. Enter LeBron James.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 11:28:55 PM)
Jay Wright turned down a possible interview opportunity with the Knicks because he wanted to remain in his current role as head coach of Villanova.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 8:51:42 PM)
Former Knick Charles Oakley is still not happy about being thrown out of The Garden last year, but he is looking forward to the moment when the general public can see video footage of the incident.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 7:45:57 PM)
Holding guys accountable is essential when you have a young roster like the Knicks do.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 5:15:57 PM)
Count Knicks legend and current broadcaster Walt Frazier among those who don’t think Kristaps Porzingis will play next season after tearing his ACL.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 4:15:12 PM)
Only time will tell if Fizdale will survive long enough to come close to his lofty goal.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 1:15:53 PM)
Trey Burke anticipates a healthy battle for the starting point guard spot under new coach David Fizdale.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 1:30:18 PM)
David Fizdale has a busy couple of weeks ahead of him now that he’s officially been introduced as the new coach of the Knicks.
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 12:45:37 PM)
“One of his strongest qualities is his perseverance,” Perry said. “We believe that quality will transfer to our players moving forward.”
(Tuesday, May 08, 2018 11:45:04 AM)
“I don’t want to look back on my life and say I didn’t take this chance,” Fizdale said.
48 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2018.05.09)”
“David Fizdale must get on New York’s good side — and quick ” Man, the New York media are such dicks.
I can’t believe that the news is still somehow talking about Charles Oakley incident from over a year ago.
If the Knicks stick at pick number 9, I wouldn’t mind grabbing Miles Bridges ahead of Mikal Bridges. Miles is a better rebounder, he’s a stronger player, and he’s a better shot creator. I’m not a big fan of Mikal Bridges because I think he’s strictly a small forward offensively and defensively due to questions about his strength and rebounding at the four and his inability to handle a basketball to play the two on offense. I know Miles Bridges has been a running joke around here for two years, but the guy can at least switch between the two and three on both ends of the court. Where Mikal Bridges provides value in terms of his wingspan, Miles Bridges gets you athleticism and strength at the same spots. I think he’s a craftier finisher around the rim, and he’s a true sophomore compared to Mikal who is a redshirt junior.
I think a lot of the Mikal Bridges love is because people expect him to be a superstar role player. I just doubt he has the requisite strength for that and I also don’t know if he’ll continue to shoot 43% from 3 against NBA talent. Depending on Miles Bridges’ official measurements, I’d rather target him because the ceiling is higher and I don’t view Mikal with the same certainty as a lot of other people.
From what I’ve read, Miles Bridges is really a combo 3/4, not a combo 2/3. I don’t think people think he can guard the 2 at all, and while he didn’t exactly regress, he didn’t make any progress either while playing the 3 more this year at MSU. His long-term best position seems to be small-ball 4, but he’s SG size with a small-ball 4 game. Hard to know – mixed opinions on him, especially defensively.
I think I’d rather have Mikal Bridges. As he gets stronger he should be able to comfortably guard 1-4 and be great on switches. His steals/blocks numbers are elite for a wing and his shooting / efficiency are elite as well. He is ~1.5 years older than Miles, but his numbers from his age-20 season last year were extremely impressive also – 67.6 TS, 2.2 steals/40, 1.2 blocks/40, 39% from 3 point range.
Thestepien.com did a bit on Mikal saying his ceiling is much lower – the beginning part of that analysis was ok but it really fell apart at the end where he ends up comparing college Mikal’s abilities with pro Otto Porter and Covington, as if Mikal has no ability to get stronger or improve any skills (even as Porter and Covington have improved in the pros).
i’m not sure exactly how the stats behind the “player distribution tool” work, but it’s hard to imagine a guy with such great college stats somehow turns into a 17% chance of a non-rotation player in the NBA.
I’m curious how they’ll measure during the combine. Is Mikal closer to 190 Lbs. than 210 lbs. and is Miles still 6’6 with a 6’7 wingspan?
I think he’ll need to be a 4 to be a real plus player but that wingspan is unheard of for any PF.
I’m just glad the “Chris Paul is a choker” narrative was buried yesterday. Such a fantastic player deserves so much better than this constant disrespect.
The Warriors are hitting their stride at the perfect time and I think they might be unbeatable in a full series, but please let’s get 7 games of this matchup at least.
@1 Yes, they are. As are those fans that merely parrot such rubbish.
I watched almost every Nova game this year (my son is a grad) and it’s like “the Stepien” guys (whoever they are) didn’t even watch Bridges play.
He’ll be fine, and the worry about him being “too old” is misguided.
Lol. There are still people riding the “Lebron is a choker” bandwagon. If CP3 slips at all in the next round the only change will be that the narrative gets updated from “Has never made the conference finals” to “Has never made the finals”.
I’m still not totally sold on the Rockets but I really hope they can give the Warriors a great series. If it’s as good as it has the chance to be and the NBA finals turns into a huge anticlimax (almost a foregone conclusion at this point) I wonder if the NBA starts thinks about throwing out the conferences in seeding the playoffs. If this WCF isn’t a classic these playoffs may turn out to be a huge disappointment. No close 2nd round series (unless Philly can find a way to make that interesting) and it’s hard to get too excited about the ECF at this point either.
Re: Mikal Bridges – I can envision a scenario in which we can choose between Bamba and Bridges. Who would people here choose? Bamba+Porzingis could be really interesting. Two mobile bigs who can shoot and protect the rim. Presumably Bamba is better off chasing the 4s around the court. Imagine trying to get a shot off in the lane against those two without the ability to pull them out of the lane with shooters (ie. one of them should be near the basket no matter whether there are stretch 4s or 5s out there).
I’d go Bamba over Bridges. Bamba at #9 is a crazy good value pick.
I would take Bamba at #3, let alone number #9
Most mocks have 7-10 going some combination of Bamba, Carter, and the 2 Bridges with maybe Collin sexton sneaking in there. Could easily see those 4 in any order.
I hope we end up in the top 3 and select a healthy Michael Porter Jr. because I will always believe a 6’11” Porter Jr and a 7’3” Kristaps Porzingis would be the only frontcourt in the NBA that has size, spacing, and speed over everybody.
Mikal Bridges just doesn’t seem like the no brainer pick to me. His jumper is far from his body and about 80% of his value comes from shooting the ball. He’s not a plus rebounder and he offers nothing in the way of ball handling or passing. If he isn’t at least a 40% 3 point shooter then he won’t work out, and I’m not confident he’ll be able to get his shot off against pros. I think Miles Bridges is a better player. He can shoot threes, he’s got crazy strength and athleticism, and he can create his own offense out on the perimeter. He’s also a tough defender and a transition threat. Almost every prospect’s value is tied into whether or not they can shoot 3s these days, but if Bridges can’t shoot threes at a good rate he at least offers you plus rebounding, shot creation in a pinch, and defense. If Bridges can’t shoot, then he’s Lance Thomas. Even Andre Roberson offers defense AND rebounding.
what makes you think Mikal wont’ be able to shoot 3’s in the pros?
he’s shot 39 and 43% from 3 on about 350 attempts the last 2 seasons and is a career 85% free throw shooter.
he has a super high and quick release which seems like it’s a good thing.
Not that I don’t like Miles Bridges, but Miles has a low kinda funky release and has been a demonstrably worse shooter than Mikal the last 2 years. It’s just weird you think Miles can shoot the 3 in the pros and Mikal can’t.
Yeah, the last thing that I’d be worried about with Mikal Bridges is whether he can hit threes in the NBA. This isn’t Justise Winslow here, ya know?
I’m a bit skeptical about Mikal, but the last thing I’m worried about is his 3-pt shooting. I’d take Bamba over him in a heartbeat.
I’m hoping for Bamba partially to reduce KP’s asking price.
You have to go with Bamba if he’s there, which he won’t be. I’d be fine with Carter, but I think Fiz wants a fast and athletic team based on what he’s been saying, so I think either Bridges would be in play, maybe with Miles having the advantage. But who really knows. If we do happen to win the #1, I can see him going with Ayton over Doncic, though, which would be rough.
Bamba over Mikal, even though that creates fit problems because he’s definitely more of a 5 than 4, which would leave KP at the more often than we’d probably like. I’d take Carter over both of them, though.
Being a choker is not a fixed state of affairs. It’s mostly a function of your nervous system, confidence level, and mental strength, all of which can change in a positive or negative direction depending on experience level, physical condition, mental health, recent random results etc…
The way you can tell if an athlete is choking (or just randomly missing) is by examining body language and decision making. You will often see fear and herky jerky form in players that are choking. You will also see a deterioration in the player’s decision making ability.
Anyone that has ever played anything under high pressure can usually tell when they’ve randomly missed/screwed up and when they’ve choked. You can feel and know it.
Experience under pressures helps, but then as you age (especially if you’ve played under extreme pressure for along time) your nervous system will eventually start getting worse and cause more choking.
That’s right. And Justise Winslow is slowly becoming a pretty darn good player. So if he starts out better, we could wind up with a VERY good player. I just get the feeling Mikal is going to the Cavs and we are going to wind up with Miles. Mikal has been seen at the Cavs games.
i don’t think bamba is the no brainer pick… he’s somewhat of a safe pick but a big who rebounds and block shots isn’t that valuable of a commodity anymore….
the key to any big coming into the nba is going to be their offensive value and their ball skills… along with good defensive ability… bamba just doesn’t have the ball skills and it’s unlikely that they will develop….
mikal bridges isn’t a tremendous prospect but he’s solid…. it’s pretty close between him and bamba but at the end of the day it’s more likely that mikal’s question marks can be developed vs bamba’s and that’s what makes him a slightly better prospect…
“Mudiay! We gon get you right, kid..”
BAD HIRE lol
RE: Draft
Please please please let Bamba be there when we pick, unless it’s top 2
If Kevin Knox shoots really well in workouts I wouldn’t be shocked if the Knicks pick him (esp. if they move down to 10). Positionally he’s what they need most- a big 3/4. He’s really young and definitely improved as the season wore on but I’d certainly prefer Mikal and maybe Miles as well.
Knox would probably benefit from another year at College.
i wonder if Philly would swap picks with us, and also give us the 26th pick
I don’t really know about that shooting form. It’s high and quick but it’s not compact, and I think that matters most in the NBA. Being able to get your shot off against the world’s best athletes requires speed of course, but he needs to keep it closer to his body because open in the NCAA and open in the NBA are two different types of open. He won’t have the same room to gather that he had in college, and that’s where I pause on his ability to shoot. I loved Buddy Hield’s ability to shoot because it was a quick compact shot, and he’s been a 40% shooter from 3. I hated Lonzo Ball’s shot form and he predictably struggled. Not to say I know it all when it comes to shooting forms, but I tend to pay more attention to shot form than I do percentages because reworking a jumper that you’ve been using your whole life is harder than becoming a good 3 point shooter with a good form I think. So while Bridges has been automatic, I’m not sure that translates because I’m nervous about the release point of his jumper.
Ummmmm what
I think we’re watching totally different sports right now
just look at all the bigs from the teams who made it to the playoffs….
ibaka/jonas
horford/morris
embiid/simmons
love/thompson
turner
whiteside
gortat
henson
durant/pachulia
adams
davis
aldridge/gasol
towns
gobert
capela
davis
if you’re telling me bamba will be the next gobert… then ok… he’s probably worth it… but more than likely he’s more ed davis…. or henson… or maybe even the playoff version of whiteside…
that’s useful… but at this point… every team kind of has that guy… what not many teams have is a guy like towns or embiid… and if he’s more gortat or henson or ed davis then he’s just another big… and spending a lotto pick on someone you could easily pick up in FA… like we did with koq…. is not really an optimal use of resources….
Assuming the top of the draft goes as planned wouldn’t statistically speaking Carter be the best pick at #9??
The lottery rarely goes as statistically planned.
Soooooo I’m ready to fire Fiz:
Stefan Bondy: On WFAN, David Fizdale said he coached players like Mudiay, using Dwyane Wade and Tyreke Evans as examples. He also compared Lance Thomas to Draymond Green.
Bamba doesn’t have to be as good as Rudy Gobert to be good value at 9. A poor man’s Rudy Gobert would still be a nice player. I know this is the age of positionless basketball and stretch fours and all that, but a rim protecting monster with insane length who can throw down some dunks and haul in a bunch of rebounds is still a valuable player. I think we’re getting a little carried away here devaluing those types of players.
Out of the Carter/Bridges/Bridges/Bamba group, I’d rank them:
1. Carter
2. Bamba
3. Mikal
4. Miles
If either one of them had a 7’8″ wingspan and a functional jump shot, sure. At 6’11” 225, with that kinda mobility and enough of a jumper to keep defenses honest- the Knicks can have the best frontcourt even if Bamba doesn’t become a star. If he’s available when we pick, as long as we’re not in a position to draft Doncic or Ayton, it will be a tragedy not to draft Bamba.
So, yeah- the kind of big that Bamba projects to be is still highly important.
TJ McConnell is what some misguided Knicks fans thought Ron Baker could be.
Whose game does Embiid remind you of?
@37
Mo Bamba?
🙂
Easy now
More seriously, TJ is a legitimate point guard. Ron is probably a better defensive player, but he’s a shooting guard or a combo guard-they’re pretty different despite sharing a certain something.
There are legitimate concerns with Bamba, mainly his mobility and highly questionable ability to ever be able to contribute on offense. Having said all of that, I’d still be elated to get him at 9. I’m a big believer in his upside.
Carter would be my ideal pick but I think he played himself out of that range.
Man. Another Ben Simmons turnover results in the Cetlics sealing a win in the series. Tough luck, but I guess that’s all part of The Process.
Fuck the Celtics, how do they keep pulling those wins out of their assess?
I hope LeBron goes supernova and obliterates this damn team.
I still believe Philly was the better team. You don’t really get to see cliches like “they didn’t know how to win” but that’s the case with the 76ers. Giving the ball to Dario Saric against Marcus Smart was about as dumb a decision they could have made. Philly will learn from this and be better for it. Next year, they’ll have Markelle Fultz to take those shots down the stretch.
Philly has talent, but they’re an incredibly dumb team. I don’t know if that’s a reflection on the coach or not, but their execution at the end of games was atrocious. The series could easily have been 3-2 Philly if they knew how to finish games.
d-mar I wholeheartedly disagree with you regarding the players being dumb. Watching this series it is ABUNDANTLY clear the difference a competent coach makes. Brad has the Celtic geniuses executing plays at critical junctures of every game. The 76rs are running around bumping into each other and primarily getting by on talent.
Brad absolutely maximizes the talent on that roster. Can you say that about about Brown?
Generational talent betrayed by a bum coach.
By the way, I would trade the Unicorn straight up for Jason Tatum. That kid is going to be a superstar.
the bar is really high for a ‘defensive’ big with little to no offensive game…. bamba is good in the paint but his jumpshot is not good and his ball skills are really bad…. he’s also not all that great or smart on defense aside from his other wordly athleticism blocking shots…
he’s something in between whiteside and ed davis (eventually) but probably leaning more towards davis….
that’s still a good player… but we already had that type of guy on our roster… and koq actually has ball skills…. and that still didn’t move the needle all that much…..
Ben Simmons is a rookie
R o o k i e
TJ is much better on offense. He takes what ever he’s given and sometimes does higher level skill things. Ron even misses open layups and when presented with opportunity to make out of the box play he seems not to have those algorithms instinctively. TJ’s arsenal on ofense is much bigger with fundamentals being easy for him. Ron still struggles with easy stuff.