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23 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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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